Prison shop begins to sell vegetables after Autukhovich's complaints

Onions and other vegetables appeared in a shop of the Hrodna prison after the publication of the “Letter from Hell” by political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich.

Charter97.org learnt it from Aleh Vouchak, a former prosecution investigators and head of the organisation “Legal Assistance to Citizens”.

“We have received information about Mikalai Autukhovich from our sources. After the publication of the 'Letter from Hell' we worried he would face pressure. We learnt it was some tension, but no strict measures were taken,” the human rights defender said.

The lawyer noted onions and other vegetables appeared in the prison shop after the publication of the letter.

“Mikalai was given bedding. He received a 30kg parcel. He is waiting for a meeting with his wife, who is going to visit him in the nearest week. He had a medical checkup and doctors said he had problems with chewing food. They concluded that he should have a more detailed examination at a military hospital in Hrodna. Our main task is to send him a mixer, because he doesn't have enough teeth to chew food. In spite of these facts, we received a reply from the corrections department saying his health is fine and there are no reasons for parole release or softer confinement conditions,” the lawyer added.

We remind that Mikalai Autukhovich was among six political prisoners who were released due to strict sanctions from the US and the EU. He was detained again on February 8, 2009. He was tried for alleged possession of ammunition (five cartridges) in 2010. He faced serious problems with health after a series of hunger strikes and lack of medical aid.

Mikalai Autukhovich was sentenced to 5 years in prison under part 3 of article 295 (illegal actions with arms, ammunition and explosives). The political prisoner was given two additional months to his prison term because he committed the crime before serving the remaining two months of his previous sentence. He was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months in maximum security prison without confiscation of property.

Photo: Nasha Niva