The trial of political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich

Ex-candidate for presidency faces tougher regime.

The trial of the political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich is to be held in the Shklou colony on May 4. His private file consists of 5 volumes, Radio Svaboda reports.

"About half of the documents are applications for a meeting and other motions, but there is a lot of correspondence with various agencies regarding violations of prisoners' rights, work and material support, an informed source told. He is referring to different moments and seeking answers. The system is really closed there: if people serve their term there, their complaints are barely satisfied. When they are released, they can't prove any violations. It feels like fighting against windmills, but Statkevich does not surrender. He believes a new case is related to his numerous complaints to Prosecutor's Office and other institutions towards confinement conditions".

The day before the lawyer got acquainted with a criminal case brought against Mikalai Statkevich. "The case consists of a recommendation to replace the colony by a prison regime plus reports of alleged "violations". The first report concerns inappropriate clothes. Then he was invited for a cup of tea, and was 5 minutes late after lights were out, and that was also considered a violation, although it is clear the situation was artificially created.

Further violations are related to his huge volume of work to clean up the territory. By the law he should work not more than 2 hours a week, but he worked 42-45 hours. Other prisoners can prove only Statkevich suffered that. He considered it a violation of the law and addressed the administration, but they did not listen to him and then he refused working. As soon as he refused working, they began to draw up daily protocols. They had 5-6 protocols. It became the reason for recommendation of the prison regime. That is, Statkevich was punished without clarifying the reasons for his refusal from work. He was deprived of short- and long-term meetings, parcels. That was the plan", the lawyer said.

According to the Shklou colony, the political prisoner has no health problems and is ready for trial.

Mikalai Statkevich is the only candidate for the Presidency in 2010 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 international human rights organizations recognized Statkevich as a political prisoner.

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.