Autukhovich denied medical aid in prison

The authorities of a prison in Hrodna don't allow political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich to have a checkup.

Charter97.org has learnt it from Aleh Vouchak, the head of the organisation Legal Assistance to Citizens and former prosecution investigator.

“We received a letter saying that Mikalai Autukhovich will be released on April 8. We also know that he hasn't had a checkup. The authorities and prison officers seem to be waiting for April 8 so that Autukhovich could solve his health problems himself. He doesn't receive medical aid,” the human rights activist said.

The lawyer noted prison officers didn't give him a medical parcel from his mother for more than a month.

“Mikalai has serious problems with the teeth. He needs implants. He could have had all analyses. But he only received a mixer to blend his food,” Aleh Vouchak said.

On May 6, 2010, Mikalai Autukhovich was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Belarus to 5 years and 2 months in a maximum security prison under part 3 of article 295 of the Criminal Code, though the case fell apart and no evidence was presented to the court. He was imprisoned for exposing corruption among local officials, though he was officially charged with possessing and carrying five cartridges.