Political prisoner Pavel Vinahradau not to be pardoned?

Relatives of Pavel Vinahradau, his father Yury and wife Svyatlana, were invited to the penal colony “Volchy Nory” in Ivatsevichy (the Brest region).

The prison authorities allowed the relatives a two-hour meeting with the inmate. Vinahradau said nobody had asked him to apply to Lukashenka for pardon.

Over 50 relatives of prisoners were invited to the colony, Pavel Vinahradau's father told Radio Svaboda. The guests were shown a club, a canteen and barracks. Pavel other 11 prisoners live in a barrack of 15 square metres. There are only beds and bedside tables in the room. The prison authorities allowed relatives a two-hour meeting with prisoners without a glass barrier.

Pavel said that other political prisoners, Eduard Lobau and Fyodar Mirzayanau, were offered for apply for pardon, but nobody made this proposal to Pavel. “I will never agree to do it. I will serve the whole sentence,” Pavel said firmly. Prison authorities say Pavel did no mend his way.

Pavel's father Yury said his son feels fine. The relatives are going to visit the colony in September to have a three-day meeting with Pavel.