Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk sent to Homiel pending another trial

September 11, Pozirk. Opposition activist Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk has been placed in the punishment cell for 10 days at Homiel’s pre-trial detention center following her transfer from a detention facility in Rečyca, Homiel region, her exiled husband Andrej Šarenda told rights groups.

Her earlier transfer to Rečyca was reportedly linked to a new criminal charge of disobedience to the prison administration.

On September 9, investigators finalized the case, which is to be forwarded to prosecutors and court, her husband said.

Šarenda-Panasiuk remains in a poor physical and mental state as she keeps facing pressure and “torture-like” detention conditions, Andrej Šarenda stressed.

Last week, he sounded alarm over his wife’s abdominal pain apparently linked to her chronic pancreatitis, a disease which damages the pancreas and changes the structure of its tissues irreversibly.

The diagnosis requires a strict diet and constant medical supervision, which is impossible behind bars, where detention conditions equal a death sentence, her husband said.

Šarenda-Panasiuk, an outspoken critic of the government, said in March she had appealed to Alaksandar Łukašenka for pardon.

Three years ago, the activist was given two years in prison after the judge found her guilty of violence against a police officer and insulting officials.

She subsequently received two additional one-year terms for allegedly disobeying the prison administration.

Also read: Husband says Šarenda-Panasiuk “dying in prison”