Hospital workers jailed after leak moved to Viciebsk detention center

May 23, BPN. Five employees of a hospital in Navapołack, Viciebsk region, who were jailed after a leak about a former presidential contender’s condition have been moved to a detention center in Viciebsk, a source has told BPN.

The source said that they have not been charged with any new crimes and that law enforcers usually send prisoners to this center to worsen their conditions.

The employees of Navapołack Central City Hospital were arrested last week. Surgeon Michaił Pačkoŭski and urologist Pavieł Stalmakoŭ were sentenced to 15 days for sharing information labeled by authorities extremist. Gynecology department head Iryna Vasiljeva and paramedic Natalla Piervianionak were given 10 days for alleged public order offenses. Piervianionak was punished for a Ukrainian flag on her social media avatar, the Belye Chalaty (White Coats) initiative reported.

Vasiljeva’s mother is disabled and needs care.

Ultrasound specialist Ała Stalmakova, who has two children, was fined 3,700 rubels ($1,400). Her charges are unknown.

Surgical nurse Śviatłana Hryharovič was also sentenced to 15 days in jail on unknown charges.

The hospital had information about Viktar Babaryka, who was hospitalized from prison in serious condition with signs of beating. He was planning to run against Alaksandr Łukašenka in 2020. His whereabouts and condition have been unknown since April 28.