Opposition leader sounds alarm over isolation of jailed politician Statkievič

February 9, Pozirk. Prominent opposition politician Mikałaj Statkievič has been held incommunicado in a Belarusian prison for a year.

His wife Maryna Adamovič has not heard anything from him after receiving a letter in last February.

Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja recorded a video address, urging international partners to force Alaksandar Łukašenka to “show Statkievič.”

“Exert maximum pressure on the regime. We need to prove that no crime will go unpunished,” she said.

Authorities have not managed to break Statkievič’s spirit behind bars, but even the strongest people should be able to count on support, the politician added.

Statkievič, leader of the outlawed Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), was arrested in May 2020 and sentenced to a 14-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Authorities also blacklisted him as a person “involved in extremist activities.”

Statkievič is one of several prominent politicians said to face severe punishment in prisons, others being former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka and journalist Ihar Łosik. His health reportedly deteriorated behind bars.

A month ago, the ByPol resistance group said that jailed politician may face another trial for disobeying prison administration.