Inmates of Valadarka prison stifling in cells

Fans do not work in the Interior Ministry’s detention facility in Valadarski Street due to electricity cuts.

Fyodar Mirzayanau, a Valadarka prisoner, wrote about electricity breaks and problems they create.

“He writes that it was very difficult two days ago, because electricity was cut off in the morning and wasn’t resumed for a long time. The day was very hot, like today. They keep food in the cell, so it begins to spoil quickly. Some people feel sick if fans do not work. Fyodar writes it might be one of the ways to save money amid crisis,” the mother of the political prisoner, Lyudmila Mirzyayanava, told Radio Svaboda.

Fyodar Mirzayanau, a participant of the post-election protests, is soon expected to be transferred to a penal colony. The Minsk City Court considered his cassation appeal and upheld the verdict. Verdicts to Andrei Sannikov, Zmitser Bandarenka, Illya Vasilevich, Aleh Hnedchyk and Uladzimir Yaromenak were also upheld. Fyodar Mirzayanau will be transferred to “Volchyi Nory” colony, his family supposes. Pavel Vinahradau, Alyaksandr Kvyatkevich and Uladzmir Loban serve their terms in this colony.

Relatives of Belarusian presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov also reported about deteriorated confinement conditions in the Interior Ministry’s detention facility.

“Andrei keeps well and does not lose his sense of humor. Maybe this saves him. I know that he has been transferred to another cell, with 12 people, from his four-person cell. The conditions there are much worse. It is very hot and stuffy, but he holds on nevertheless,” political prisoner’s wife Iryna Khalip said.