Imprisoned ex-presidential candidate Statkevich says that pressure on him continues
Imprisoned former presidential candidate Mikalay Statkevich has
sent a letter to his associate, Pavel Sevyarynets, to say that
authorities continue pressuring him into applying to Alyaksandr
Lukashenka for a pardon.
Mr. Sevyarynets, co-chairman
of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) party, who is serving a
“restricted freedom” sentence in the open-type facility in the village
of Kuplin, Brest region, received the letter dated November 14 only on
November 22, said the BCD press office.
“I am fine, work at the
[prison’s] sawmill, read newspapers and books,” writes Mr. Statkevich,
who is serving a prison sentence in a correctional institution in
Shklow, Mahilyow region. “It could be said that I have adapted to the
place but for various vile things did to me on a regular basis… by those
who have been ordered to ‘pull out` this ‘pardon request’ from me. But a
human adapts easily to the need to keep vigil and you also get
accustomed to ‘surprises.’ By the way, in response to offers to make the
request, I now answer along the following lines: ‘What will I do on the
outside? Prices are now exorbitant there, while here I am given cereals
and put to a bed. Besides, I don’t need to travel to work, as my
working place is within walking distance.”
Mr. Statkevich asks to send his regards to another imprisoned opposition activist, Zmitser Dashkevich, and other associates.
“I hope that he, as well as you will soon be freed,” he says.
According
to the letter, Mr. Statkevich received only three out of five letters
sent to him by Mr. Sevyarynets, and Mr. Sevyarynets never got one letter
sent to him by his associate, said the press office.
Messrs.
Statkevich and Sevyarynets were convicted earlier this year in
connection with a post-election protest held in Minsk on December 2010.
//BelaPAN
