More than 15 political prisoners were amnestied and pardoned, among them Ryhor Kastusiou Updated
On July 2, Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed the Law On Amnesty in Connection with the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Belarus from Nazi Invaders. It, like previous similar laws, does not grant amnesty for persons "involved in extremist and terrorist activities." Nevertheless, several political prisoners were released. As of July 5, Viasna human rights defenders know for certain about 18 political prisoners who were amnestied on July 3. Among them are four women and 14 men, including Ryhor Kastusiou, a cancer patient who was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony. According to the information of Viasna, some of the political prisoners were pardoned, not amnestied. Human rights defenders do not publish the names of other released prisoners for their safety.
- Ryhor Kastusiou
The fact that political prisoner Ryhor Kastusiou was amnestied was confirmed to human rights defenders by relatives of the political prisoner. 67-year-old chairman of the BPF Party Ryhor Kastusiou was held behind bars for more than three years. He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. In imprisonment, Ryhor's health problems worsened: he was diagnosed with cancer.
Information about other released persons is being checked and clarified.
If you know about the people who were amnestied on July 3, please inform human rights defenders.
Recall that on July 2, Aliaksandr Lukashenka announced the release of some political prisoners in his official speech:
"Do not be surprised if in a few days very seriously ill people will be released, who did not manage to escape and are in prisons, who were breaking and destroying the country in 2020. But they are, indeed, seriously ill. Mostly with cancers."
The article is getting updated.
