Source from Vitsba-3 colony: Intolerable conditions created for Sannikov

The political prisoner still remains in full isolation after the release from the cell-type facility.

A source from Vitsba-3 penal colony told charter97.org website about the situation of presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov.

“Andrei Sannikov was transferred from the cell-type facility to a barrack in early January. He looked exhausted. The prison administration ordered to apply unofficial prison rules of the 1920ies-30ies (they are used even in colonies for first-time convicted prisoners, but in a milder form than in penitentiaries for prisoners with several convictions). The prison authorities know about the rules, encourage to apply them and use some prisoners to control the rest inmates. I’d like to miss details, but everything was done to create intolerable conditions for Sannikov. The prisoners, who respect Sannikov and were shocked by a dirty report about him on TV, began to support him. As a result, some prisoners, who applied for parole, were warned they will serve the whole sentence, some years more. There were rumours that the prisoner, who actively supported Sannikov, was transferred to another prison. All inmates were warned about punishment for talking to Sannikov.

Vacuum created around Sannikov, but people try to help him. Sannikov asks prisoners not to approach and talk to him to avoid problems. He is in full isolation, only some pigeons and provocateurs can talk to him. Sannikov is said to have been warned he would be moved to the worst and coldest cell in prison if he complained or tell anyone about his situation. Prisoners say they cannot imagine what he went through. They say he should be saved from prison by all means. Prisoners think all instructions regarding Sannikov come from above,” the source says.

As it was reported yesterday, Andrei Sannikov was forced to apply for a pardon under threats and tortures. The political prisoner was held in a solitary cell and tortured. He received threats that his wife and son would be killed.