Dzmitry Shlethauer, a 22-year-old political prisoner, died in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15 Updated
Viasna human rights activists have received confirmation that Dzmitry Shlethauer, a citizen of the Russian Federation, died in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15. According to preliminary information, it happened on October 11, 2024. He stayed in the penal colony for less than a month. The exact cause of death is unknown. In the summer, he was sentenced to 12 years in a medium security penal colony for "espionage" (Article 358 of the Criminal Code) and "assistance to extremist activities" (Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code). This is the seventh death of a political prisoner behind bars.
Social media revealed that Dzmitry Shlethauer is 22 years old. He was born in Slavgorod, Russia, and received a Belarusian residence permit in 2018. The man worked in Kamianiec at an enterprise that produces polymer products and packaging.
The political prisoner was kept behind bars for less than a year. According to human rights activists, Dzmitry's brother was also detained, but later he was deported to Russia.
A few months ago, Schlethauer was tried under two articles of the Criminal Code. While the trial was taking place, he became a father.
The Supreme Court's website did not provide information on the hearing of his criminal case in the schedule of courts, only the date of hearing his appeal. The appeal was heard on August 30, and the decision was made by a judicial panel chaired by Judge Edhar Martsirasian.
According to Viasna, Dzmitry was sentenced to 12 years in a medium-security penal colony. In early autumn, he was sent to serve time in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15. Shortly after the transfer, he was found dead, but the exact cause of death is unknown.
UPD. On November 6, Liusterka published information on the cause of death of political prisoner Dzmitry Shlethauer. According to an acquaintance of his family who currently lives abroad, the death certificate lists the cause as "mechanical asphyxia." This phrase is frequently used in cases of suicide.
"The prison administration did not inform Dzmitry's family about what exactly happened to him," the acquaintance claims.
The family communicated with Dzmitry through letters, and his wife visited him in the pre-trial detention center before and after his trial.
"The family believes Dzmitry had no intention to end his life. According to his relatives, he was deeply upset by what had happened to him, but not to the extent of contemplating voluntary death. While still in the pre-trial detention center, he had begun diligently preparing for his transfer to the penal colony — collecting cigarettes, sugar, tea, and coffee, expecting these items to be useful in the colony."
The source noted that Dzmitry had told his relatives that he was treated well in the detention center without problems caused by cellmates or the administration. Based on this, the family does not believe it was a suicide, as Dzmitry had plans for the future and intended to write an application for pardon.
However, Dzmitry's health began to deteriorate while he was in the detention center. Stress had caused him to lose his hair, and he had problems with varicose veins. In early October 2024, Dzmitry was transferred from the pre-trial detention center to the penal colony. Immediately upon arrival, he was placed in a punitive isolation cell (SHIZO), though the family does not know the reason.
