Political prisoner Prakapenka may face new jail term?

The political prisoner was denied a pardon. His prison term may be extended due to violations of prison rules.

Artsiom Prakapenka applied for a pardon in February, but was denied it. Anatoli Prakapenka, the political prisoner's father, says his son is considered to be a persistent violator of prison rules, which possibly influenced the decision.

“I don't know why his application was rejected. They said apply for a pardon and we'll release you. I don't know why they refused. It's unclear,” Artsiom's father says.

– How is he? How does he feel?

– We prepare for a long visit. We plan it for June, but we don't have permission so far. His health? How can one be healthy in prison?

– Many connect such negative consequences for political prisoners with visits of EU officials and talks between the EU and Lukashenka.

– I don't watch these processes. But we see that unforeseeable things happen. His friend Pavel Syramolatau, who was convicted under the same article, was pardoned and released, while Artsiom remains behind bars. Correctional officers think he is a persistent violator of prison rules. One punishment expires, and they impose new sanctions.

– It resembles the situation of Mikalai Dziadok. He was sentenced to a one more year in prison for violations. Are you afraid of the same scenario?

– I am not afraid of anything. Nothing depends on us. We are just waiting.

Lawyer Harry Pahaniayla, the head of the legal commission of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, thinks Artsiom Prakapenka may face an additional term of imprisonment.

“It is possible under our laws. A new criminal case is opened on the request of prison authorities if an inmate is labelled as a persistent violator of prison rules. A court can sentence the inmate to an additional year of imprisonment. We should note that such a practice is usually applied to political prisoners. However, we know cases when such measures were applied to 'crime lords' who, following criminal traditions, refused to obey prison staff and put a negative effect on other inmates,” he said.

Artsiom Prakapenka has been in prison since January 17, 2011. The court of Babruisk sentenced him to 7 years in a medium security correctional facility for hooliganism (part 2 of article 339 of the Criminal Code) and damaging property on an especially large scale (part 3 of article 218 of the Criminal Code). Artsiom was tried together with Yauhen Vaskovich and Pavel Syramolatau.

The political prisoner is held in correctional facility No.15 in Mahilou.

Human rights defenders note that political prisoners are ill-treated in jails. Prison officers organise provocations against them, impose sanctions for any violations, deprive them of visits and parcels from outside and throw them into punishment cells. Imprisoned opposition activists are being pressed to make them apply for a pardon.

Pressure on them increased ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit, which is due to be held in Riga in early May.