Barysau Social Democrats: Statkevich subjected to tortures in colony

Increasing pressure on Mikalai Statkevich in the Shklou colony No. 17must be regarded as tortures of political opponent.

BelaPAN reports that the statement of Barysau organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) says it.

"It is an increased illicit pressure against a real political opponent of Aliaksandr Lukashenka". For example, another Statkevich's placement in the Ward-type Room or his incarceration, where his health is threatened and where he may stay for months", the statement says.

Barysau Social Democrats call for the democratic community of the country "to undertake specific measures to support political prisoners instead of an enthusiasm for pseudo-elections of the president of the Republic of Belarus and nomination of some candidates for this politically comic event". Thus, Social Democrats offer to prepare a joint appeal to the OSCE, the Committee against Torture and the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations and some other structures to put international pressure on Aliaksandr Lukashenka "in order to prevent tortures against his political opponents".

It should be reminded that within a week the Shklou colony No. 17 has drawn up eight protocols against Statkevich. In particular, he is deprived of a short meeting with his wife in April, and food parcels. Besides, he spent three days in a punishment cell, and on April 3 he was placed for two months in a Ward-type Room.

Mikalai Statkevich is the only candidate for presidency who is still imprisoned. In May 2011, Statkevich was sentenced to six years in prison for organizing mass disorder on the day of presidential elections. The opposition politician initially served his term in Shklou colony No. 17, but in January 2012, conditions of the completion of sentence were tightened and he was sent to Mahileu prison No. 4 for three years. After the expiration of the term on January 12 of the current year, the politician was back to the Shklou colony and where he was drawn up 2 protocols within first two days on violation of regulations and on this basis he was banned a long-term family visits.