Political prisoner Prakapenka receives right to accept food parcels

The authorities of Mahilou correctional colony No. 2 lifted a ban on food parcels for Artsiom Prakapenka.

Charter97.org has learnt it from his father Anatoly Prakapenka.

“We are returning from Mahilou now. We passed Artsiom 35 kilogrammes of food, including 5 kilogrammes of fruit. We were happy. We were afraid that they can forbid parcels again, as it was on March 4,” the political prisoner's father said.

He added that the status of a “persistent violator of prison rulers” wasn't not lifted from Artsiom. He must live a year without violations for the status to be lifted.

“We didn't see our son, but we know he holds on. I feel he has some problems, but he doesn't complain. He recently called and said he filed an application for bricklaying courses. He hasn't received a reply yet. He wants to learn a profession during the remaining 4.5 years of his term,” Anatoly Prakapenka said.

Artsiom Prakapenka was thrown into a punishment cell for five days in March allegedly for violation of prison rules. The political prisoner was ordered to apply for a pardon, but he refused to do so.

Artsiom Prakapenka was tried together with Yauhen Vaskovich and Pavel Syramolatau. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison for an attempt to set fire to the doors of the KGB office in Babruisk.