Law enforcers bar jailed journalist from parcels, visitors

February 22, BPN. The administration of Mahiloŭ’s Penal Colony No. 15 has decided to deprive journalist Alaksandr Lubiančuk of parcels, care packages and visits for three months, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

The human rights group said the political prisoner had been transferred to the colony in early February. The administration supposedly punished Lubiančuk for “violating internal regulations” while he was in quarantine.

Lubiančuk was arrested on May 26, 2022 in the village of Kryvičy near Iŭje, where he was engaged in restoration of his region’s historical and cultural heritage.

On October 27, the Minsk City Court sentenced him to three years in prison. Judge Alena Ananič convicted him of membership in an extremist group.

On January 24, the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against sentence.

From Lubiančuk’s letters, activists learned that his health deteriorated significantly in detention.