Maryna Adamovich: Authorities do not change their attitude towards political prisoners

The authorities continue to repeat that the problem of political prisoners does not exist.

Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei said to journalists after the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga that the country didn't have the problem of political prisoners. He admitted that several people were in jail for committing offences and asked how those who threw Molotov cocktails could be considered to be political prisoners. Someone noted that former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich was still in jail though he hadn't thrown Molotov cocktails, but Makei answered it was a “different matter, as he called to force enter the building of the government after the presidential elections”, Radio Racyja reports.

Maryna Adamovich, the wife of former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, thinks Makei said nothing new about political prisoners:

“My principle is not to comment on statements by such people. They don't worth it. Did he say anything new? He just repeated the favourite ideas of our authorities: we have no political prisoners, they should apply for a pardon if they want to be released. Lukashenka said it on July 7, 2011, for the first time. They just repeat it deliberately.”

“Belarus' rapprochement with Europe is being slowed down by the so called political prisoners,” Uladzimir Makei said at the EaP summit. He added that all prisoners could apply for a pardon.

Six political prisoners remain in Belarus behind bars: Mikalai Statkevich, Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Dziadok, Yury Rubtsou, Yauhen Vaskovich and Artsiom Prakapenka. The political inmates suffer constant pressure, prison authorities worsen confinement conditions for them. The prison term for Mikalai Dziadok was extended by a year, and Mikalai Statkevich was transferred to a stricter prison. Arstiom Prakapenka has not been released though he applied for a pardon. Yury Rubtsou will be tried on May 27 in the temporary detention facility in Baranavichy.