Zmitser Bandarenka released!

Coordinator of European Belarus and Andrei Sannikov's electioneering agent has been released from prison.

As charter97.org learnt from the politician’s wife, Zmitser Bandarenka has been released today from the Mahiliou reformatory #15. Zmitser had to be transferred from Mahiliou to Minsk lying in the minibus because of the problems with his spine.

Zmitser Bandarenka arrived at the bus station Uskhodni in Minsk at 14:15 Belarusian time.

Despite health problems, the politician looked good and cheerful. He immediately told charter97.org:

- When they tried to recruit me they demanded two things from me: control over the website charter97.org and no censorship for the comments. In a way, I was charged for censorship. - The politician who also is one of the founders of the civic initiative Charter 97 made a joke.

Bandarenka said that he didn’t hope to be released today. When asked about his health, he replied: “Not so good”.

- I will continue my public activity. I want my country to be free, to be European. – Zmitser said.

During the presidential election of 2010 Zmitser Bandarenka was a key person in the team of presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov, who was exonerated yesterday. Bandarenka was arrested on 20 December 2010 and sentenced to two-year imprisonment in a reformatory. Right after the arrest in December 2010, his chronic diseases exacerbated and in July 2011 he underwent a spinal surgery.

Foto: Kabanov

Foto: Tima Dranchuk

Foto: svaboda.org