Cichanouskaja: solitary confinement won’t break Kalesnikava

November 23, BPN. Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, currently visiting Canada, has publicly supported her former election campaign associate locked in a punishment cell.

Maryja Kalesnikava is held in a punishment cell in the Homiel prison, the team of former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka reported on November 22.

“I received the terrible news that Maria Kalesnikava has been placed in a punishment cell and her lawyer was denied access,” the opposition leader tweeted. “It is not known how long she will be in isolation. But I know that Maša is strong and won’t break. We will keep fighting for her and all political prisoners.”

It remains unclear when and for how long Kolesnikova was placed in a punishment cell. Her lawyer tried to see her on November 22, but the prison authorities denied the visit citing Kalesnikava’s failure to inform them about it.

In 2020, musician Maryja Kalesnikava was Babaryka’s campaign manager. Police arrested her in September 2020 and tried to force her to leave Belarus, but she refused. One year later, authorities sentenced her to 11 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to seize power.

Inmates in solitary confinement cannot receive visits, telephone calls, letters and parcels or purchase food and basic necessities. They have no bedding and are not taken out for walks. The maximum term of punishment is ten days, but prison authorities can extend it.