Zmitser Bandarenka denied release on parole

The political prisoner has been denied the release of parole in spite of the catastrophic state of health.

Zmitser Bandarenka, a coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign, told this to his wife Volha Bandarenka on the phone.

The parole board visited the penal colony on January 4. The political prisoner was denied parole “until changing the certification degree”.

One of conditions of inmate’s certification is confession.

Zmitser Bandarenka, who underwent a serious spinal surgery in prison, said he had been suffering from high blood pressure for a month and medicines did not bring relief. He could sit down five months after the surgery, but he began to feel pain in his back and disk herniation in the thorasic region deteriorates. He will probably need another operation.

The political prisoner asked to say he had received a lot of New Year and Christmas greetings (though he seems to receive only a part of them). He thanked Belarusians for their support.

Zmitser Bandarenka’s wife told in an interview to charter97.org website commenting on parole denial.

“Zmitser has served half of his sentence. He does not have penalties, his claim was paid off, he is seriously ill, so he should have been released on parole. Nevertheless, it did not happen for an unknown reason. We understand it’s not the penal colony that takes the decision. I think their internal rules allowed them to make another decision, but they do not have power here. The certification degree will be changed as soon as the appropriate command is given. I wish it would happen soon.”