Anthie and Alexandra in Thessalonica July 2016

Some Truly Good Friends in Minsk

I am Thankful for their Help and Support

Happy Birthday, My Dearest Anthoula,

In just a few moments, Anthie’s birthday cake and presents will be personally delivered to her, along with Alexandra’s gifts. This would have been utterly impossible without the selfless help of some truly good friends in Minsk. My heart aches with the thought that if the situation in Belarus doesn’t change drastically and soon, such arrangements may never be possible again. I am eternally, profoundly thankful for their unwavering help and support.

Today marks your birthday once more, a truly magical moment when a brilliant star was born, and Daddy’s life changed irrevocably in 2012. Suddenly, my life gained a profound purpose, a true meaning. From that day on, Dad did everything humanly possible to guide and protect you both from the inherent cruelty of the world you were born into.

Heartbreakingly, Daddy failed to protect you enough because he tragically trusted people he should not have. Now, you are trapped in a country consumed by turmoil and chaos, ruled by individuals devoid of dignity and self-respect.

My heart bleeds with the realization of my own naivety, and I cannot begin to forgive myself for it. Your Grandmother Anthoula always warned Daddy not to trust people so easily, but Daddy, in his foolishness, never truly listened to her wisdom. This truth tears my heart into a million pieces every single day since your abduction. I believed someone who begged and cried for a last chance, someone who, in hindsight, never deserved it!

Some perverted and sick minds deliberately decided to separate us in 2017, snatching you and Alexandra away without Dad’s knowledge or consent. I pray to God to punish all those who choose to ruin your innocent lives and future.

Know this, my precious girls: Dad continues his relentless fight against all those who seek to hurt and destroy you, who wish to mold you into their image, to fit you into the sick system of a society that has so clearly failed!

Oh, how I wish I could be near you, my dear, to hold you close, to kiss you, and to give you your birthday presents myself. But Daddy cannot do that. A crazy man and his gang of terrorists will throw Daddy in prison because they claim I have insulted their deranged leader in Belarus.

I promise you, my dearest Anthoula and Alexandra, Daddy will be in Minsk the next day, changes will come to Belarus. All the people of Belarus deserve to be respected, to have Freedom and Democracy in a country where the Rule of Law is respected above all, and everyone!

Daddy will always be around and near You and Alexandra. Daddy will never give up on you both, this I promise.

I love You, my dear Anthoula, and wish You a Happy Birthday full of Joy and Beautiful Surprises.

ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΣΟΥ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ ΜΟΥ ΑΝΘΟΥΛΑ

From Daddy With Love
Nicolaos Cheropoulos
Father of Anthie and Alexandra
Stockholm, June 2021
Revisione ottobre 2023