Jacek Protasiewicz: Situation with Belarus is shocking

The Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Belarus called to release from prison Belarusian opposition member Zmitser Bandarenka.

Jacek Protasiewicz condemns the actions by the Belarusian authorities in relation to the oppositionist.

“The recent decision of the prison administration on an enforced spinal surgery on Bandarenka is shocking in my view,” the MEP said in an interview to Raport Białoruś on Polskie Radio.

“As far as I know, Bandarenka, who was placed in the prison hospital due to his bad health, was given a choice: to give written consent to a very difficult operation without a prior consultation with a neurosurgeon or to return to prison, where hard labour can lead to permanent disability. Besides, it was also decided that after the operation Bandarenka would be returned to the colony without rehabilitation treatment, which can mean in practice that he will remain disable for the rest of his life,” the MEP stressed.

Jacek Protasiewicz condemned these actions by the Belarusian authorities and noted they were an example of blatant violations of human rights.

“The behavior of the prison administration is, without doubts, an example of using violence and inhuman treatment,” he underlined.

The Chairman of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus called to release Zmitser Bandarenka, who was illegally placed in custody.

“I demand that Belarusian authorities release him in order he could take advice of specialists and have access to proper medical aid or at least allow medical consultation for him and rehabilitation until his full recovery,” he said.