Łukašenka says to release seriously ill political prisoners in a few days

July 3, Pozirk. Alaksandr Łukašenka announced yesterday that he would release “really seriously ill” opponents of the government from prison in a few days.

“Don’t be surprised that in a few days very seriously ill persons will be set free, as they [opposition media] write about them, these are our people who did not manage to flee and are held in prison, those who wrecked and broke the country to pieces in 2020,” he said at an Independence Day ceremony.   

Most of those to be released have cancer, he said without naming anyone.

“We approach and treat everyone as humans. A person in need, I believe, has no citizenship, and we must help them,” his press office quoted him as saying.

Opposition leaders told the Helsinki Commission last month that 91 political prisoners were seriously ill.

Ryhor Kastusioŭ, 66, leader of the outlawed Belarusian Popular Front serving a 10-year sentence, has cancer. Alaksandar Fiaduta, a veteran opposition politician sentenced to 10 years, has heart problems.

Also read: Regime critic Fiaduta admitted to prison hospital – reports