Yury Rubtsou got transferred to Babrujsk colony

As the HRC “Viasna” learned on August 11, political prisoner Yury Rubtsou was transferred to penal colony №2 in Babrujsk. Most probably, it was done at the weekend, as on Friday he was still in the remand prison in Baranavičy.

Many former political prisoners used to serve their terms in this colony, including the head of the HRC “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski, Zmitser Drozd, Siarhei Kazakou, Andrei Kim and Andrei Pratasenia.

Mr. Bialiatski, who has spent almost three years in this colony, said that it won't be a simple affair for Mr. Rubtsou: “The colony leadership strictly abides by all orders of the higher authorities and the KGB. The policy of the colony is such that various means of pressurizing Yury Rubtsou will be used, both official and unofficial. I think he will be pestered by stool pigeons, there may be staged provocations and conflict situations on the order from the above – as it happened to me.

Belarusian colonies, here I share the opinion of Ihar Alinevich, are a direct continuation of GULag. The methods of psychological influence which are used there, are anti-human. The internal regulations in the Belarusian prisons allow the leadership to grossly pressurize political prisoners. This also concerns Babrujsk colony.

However, knowing the character and position of Mr. Rubtsou, I hope that he will manage to endure all challenges. However, in such a situation it is necessary for political prisoners to feel support and solidarity. That's why I ask all concerned people to write him letters and postcards,” urges Mr. Bialiatski.

At present one can write to Yury Rubtsou to the following address:
Sikorski Str. 1, correctional colony No. 2,
213807, Babrujsk,
Mahilioŭ region, Belarus.

Let us remind that on October 6, 2014 Yury Rubtsou was sentenced to 18 months of personal restraint with direction to open correctional facility No. 7, under Art. 391 of the Criminal Code, "Insulting a judge or lay judge".

A new criminal case was instigated against Mr. Rubtsou on March 18, 2015 under Article 415 of the Criminal Code "Evasion from serving the punishment of restraint of liberty",as the political prisoner refused to work for less than $600 a month. May 28, Pružany District Court found him guilty and punished him with two years in a minimum security colony, including the unserved term.

July 24, Brest Regional Court rejected the appeal of the political prisoner agaisnt the verdict of Pružany District Court and left the sentence in force.