Cichanoŭskaja calls for support to political prisoners on Kaleśnikava’s birthday
April 24, Pozirk. Almost 200 women are held behind bars in Belarus on politically-motivated charges and are collectively serving hundreds of years, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said in a post on X on associate Maryja Kaleśnikava’s 42 birthday.
“The time that the regime has taken from their lives cannot be replenished,” the politician noted, urging Belarusians to keep supporting political prisoners and their families by writing them letters and donating money in cases when it is safe to do.
“Our unity, solidarity, and humanity will help us withstand any regime and eventually achieve our vision of the future together,” Cichanoŭskaja stressed.
In September 2021, authorities sentenced Kaleśnikava, a spokeswoman for the campaign of former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, to 11 years in prison on charges widely seen as politically motivated.
In November 2022, Kaleśnikava underwent surgery at Homiel’s emergency hospital, where she was taken in serious condition. The woman was diagnosed with peritonitis.
Kaleśnikava reportedly suffers from high blood pressure and may be deprived of necessary medical care behind bars.
She has been held incommunicado for more than one year.
Cichanoŭskaja calls on UN secretary general to help Belarusian prisoners
March 8, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has called on UN Secretary General António Guterres to look into the situation of Belarusian political prisoners, condemning incommunicado detentions. "Today I address UN Secretary General António Guterres. Interfere! Demand an end …