Mikalai Autukhovich denied of medical care in prison

A political prisoner cannot eat properly due to problems with teeth.

This information was received from Aleh Vouchak, the head of the organisation Legal Assistance to Public.

A businessman and Soviet-Afghan war veteran from Vaukavysk is in prison in Hrodna serving his term of 5 years and 2 months on accusations of possession of a few cartridges for a hunting rifle. According to Aleh Vouchak, Mikalai Autukhovich keeps up his spirits in spite of isolation and health problems, Radio Racyja reports.

“He still has problems with teeth. His dental bridges became loose. Taking into account that his term expires in 14 months and the crime is not grievous, he could be released on parole due to health problems. Why cannot they take him to the dentist? Prison guards only escort inmates to court, but no one will take him to the town,” the human rights defender says.

Aleh Vouchak says the legislation doesn't describe procedures for such a situation, though it's obvious that absence of medical care violates law.

According to the human rights activist, it is difficult to hope for release on parole for Autuhovich, because he was given the status of a persistent violator of prison rulers. However, the possibility of a political decision on his release cannot be ruled out.