Jailed opposition activist Łatypaŭ contracts scurvy

February 15, Pozirk. Opposition activist Ściapan Łatypaŭ contracted scurvy behind bars, a source who wished to remain anonymous told Pozirk.

Łatypaŭ may be deprived of proper medical care and medications.

Caused by vitamin C lack or deficiency, scurvy can develop within weeks and lead to vascular fragility, bleeding gums, loss of teeth and limb pain.

Łatypaŭ was arrested in September 2020 in connection with postelection protests and accused of resisting arrest and mishandling crop protection agents. He pleaded not guilty and attempted suicide during a court hearing.

In August 2021, Łatypaŭ was sentenced to eight and a half years in a high-security penal colony. A year later, he was placed in a closed prison for a two-year term. Human rights groups declared him a political prisoner.