Mikalai Statkevich does not hope for early release

Political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, the last of the presidential candidates in the2010 election, which is still held behind bars, does not hope for his early release. In a letter to journalist Barys Vyrvich, the political prisoner, who is serving a sentence in Shklou penal colony No. 17, tells about “another exacerbation”, saying that “the trends are opposite”.

Barys Vyrvich received a letter on March 24.

Mikalai Statkevich says that one of the positive things is that since the beginning of March he has been finally able to receive the main democratic newspapers, and now he has access to alternative information. The political prisoner is optimistic, although the letter suggests that the pressure on him is constantly increasing.

In addition, Statkevich analyzes the current situation in a democratic environment of the country and once again expresses the opinion that “in any case, pro-dem forces should unite to at least restore their subjectivity in the political field. After all, it is difficult to expect much of the campaign in such conditions”.

Mikalai Statkevich was taken into custody after the events in Minsk on 19 February 2010. In May 2011, he was sentenced by the court of Leninski district of Minsk to six years’ imprisonment. On 12 January 2012, the conditions of serving the sentence were changed to more stringent, as Statkevich was transferred to prison No. 4 in Mahiliou. On 12 January 2015, the political prisoner was again transferred to Shklou.