Alinevich, who has heart problems, deprived of medical care

Doctors refuse to make an extract from his medical record so that relatives could sent medicines to the political prisoners.

“Ihar does not have the right to receive parcels and have visits. He called last Sunday after three months of silence. He said they tried to isolate him by all means,” Valyantina Alinevich, the mother of political prisoner Ihar Alinevich, told charter97.org.

Ihar Alinevich is deprived of the opportunity to receive medical aid, his mother says. “My son asked to make an extract from his medical record so that I could send him a medical parcel. He has heart problems. But doctors refuse to make an extract. I face barriers every time I say the name of the political prisoner. He tries to read books. He sent a list of books he wants me to buy for him. But how can I send them if parcels are forbidden?”

Valyantina Alinevich says other inmates respect her son for his ability and desire to help. “Ihar writes that many inmates ask to send them materials of Radio Svaboda's programme 'How to survive in prison' prepared by former prisoner of conscience Doctor of Medicine Yury Bandazheuski. Other prisoners appreciate Ihar's ability to help them.”

Ihar Alinevich knows how to survive in prison, his mother says. “He writes psychological trainings and meditation are needed as well as will to win and understanding of the aim of your imprisonment. If you follow these instructions and do physical exercises, you will be all right in prison.”

Everyone in the country is political prisoner, Valyantina Alenivich thinks. “I write to many political prisoners. I am happy to know we have such men. It means it's not so bad with Belarusians. I also write to ordinary prisoners. I met their relatives near the walls of the KGB jail and detention facility in Valadarskaya Street. They all turned out to be decent people. In a broad sense everyone in the country is a political prisoner.”