Mikalai Statkevich to stand trial in prison on May 4

The trial of political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, who is currently held in a penal colony in Škloŭ, will start on May 4, according to a post on his wife’s account on Facebook. The former presidential candidate may be transferred to prison with maximum security.

The prisoner is accused of numerous violations of internal regulations and disobedience to prison administration.

In his latest letter to his wife Maryna Adamovich, he said that he was held in cell-type premises (PKT).

“In total, he has 13 penalties, 10 of which – for refusing to work. And the last five of his refusals ended with usual reprimands, because he has already been subjected to all possible types of punishment,” says Radio Liberty’s Belarus service.

Earlier, Mikalai Statkevich wrote that he faced criminal charges for numerous violations of the regime and might be transferred to prison as a result.

Mikalai Statkevich is the only former presidential candidate who is still held behind bars after the 2010 presidential election. The court found the opposition politician guilty of organizing riots and sentenced him to 6 years in prison. The opposition leader pleaded not guilty and refused to request pardon. Statkevich was serving a sentence in a colony in Škloŭ. In 2012, he was transferred to maximum security prison in Mahilioŭ.

On 12 January 2015, he was sent to serve his sentence back to the penal colony.