Mothers of political prisoners denied meetings with their sons

Natallya Novik cannot see her son Zmitser, a political prisoner serving his sentence in a penal colony in Shklou.

The mother of political prisoner Alyaksandr Mauchanau, Halina, does not have contacts with her son.

As Belorusski Partizan learnt, Natallya Novik came from Baranavichy to the Corrections Department in Minsk on August 30 to clear up why her son Zmitser had been denied a short meeting. She wanted to see her son on his birthday – Zmitser marks his 30th birthday on September 16. The colony authorities banned the meeting saying prisoner Novik had violated the internal rules. Natallya is sure Zmitser is being pressed.

“My son has faced tougher repressions,” the woman said. “It has become even worse. He used to phone every week, but not he does not call at all. It's because he refused to apply for pardon. The lawyer says the same.”

Alyaksandr Mauchnau, a political prisoner in penal colony Nr 15 in Mahilou, cannot see his mother as well. His mother Halina is not able to visit him in prison due to her bad health. She does not receives letters from him. He phoned her on August 16 last time. He does not tell his mother what is going on, but tries to calm her, but she continues to worry waiting for a call or a letter from him.

Political prisoners may be exerted pressure on to make them file a pardon petition.