On 24 January it was reported that former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau (left) had 
signed a petition for clemency.According to his wife Iryna Khalip, he was compelled to do so under torture. Quoting Sannikau, Khalip said that a petition has been signed on 20 November. However, the Ministry of Interior Affairs claimed that it had happened on 23 December.
Khalip said that the aim of the authorities “is not just to wrest the clemencies from the prisoners but also destroy them physically.”
“Otherwise, Lukashenka would be waving those papers at a press conference on 23 December, stating that he was appealed for mercy,” – wife of Sannikau believes.Now, lawyers of Sannikau are compiling a complaint to the UN.
“It was obvious from the moment of arrest, that there would be the conviction that the cassational and supervisory appeals would be rejected.So now the documents are being prepared for a complaint to the UN Committee on Human Rights. I think next week the complaint will be sent there”, – said Khalip.
Zmitsier Bandarenka wrote a appeal for pa
rdon on health grounds
Zmitsier Bandarenka (right) – the coordinator of the “European Belarus” civil campaign, a proxy of 2010 candidate for the presidency Andrei Sannikau has written a petition for clemency on 1 February.Previously, he was denied parole, despite the poor state of health. The politician was diagnosed with multiple herniated discs and impairment of spinal nerves after his arrest .
In late January, it became known that Mahilyow penal colony № 15 have tightened the detention conditions of the politician.In particular, starting from January 30, it was forbidden for him to use the crutch which he used during walking. However, on 2 February Bandarenka got his crutches and orthopaedic shoes back, and was allowed not to walk in a file with other prisoners.
Statkevich was forced to destroy some 700 letters and have to walk surrounded by guard dogs
Maryna Adamovich, the wife of former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich (left), received a letter from Mahilyow prison where former presidential candidate had served more than a week in solitary confinement.“He wrote that they did not even give him the padded jacket for a night in the confinement cell, it was very cold, but he hopes that it would be easier now,” – said Maryna Adamovich.Statkevich expressed apology to the letter authors, who he could not respond to, because he was not allowed to take part of the letters when he was departed to other prison.
The administration of Shklou colonies were Mikalai Statkevich has been previously imprisoned recorded in the personal characteristics that he allegedly prone to aggression and escape and so he has to be guarded extremely carefully, even with the help of guard dogs, said Maryna Adamovich.
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