Some imprisoned dissidents may die behind bars – politician

April 23, BPN. Seventy-four people with disabilities and serious illnesses, as well as some 25 retirees, were in detention for political reasons at the beginning of 2023, the opposition’s social care secretary Volha Harbunova has told the 2nd World Belarus Congress in Vilnius.

“Those behind bars may not live long enough to be released. That’s because of inhumane prison conditions, torture and violence,” she said, as quoted by the opposition’s cabinet.

On April 21, Harbunova issued a statement saying that 4,500-5,000 people might be in custody for political reasons.

According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarus has at least 1,496 political prisoners as of April 23.