Political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich turns 65 behind bars
13.08.202107:26
Politician Mikalai Statkevich is celebrating his birthday in the detention center in Homiel. Yesterday, he turned 65 years old. Here are the latest actions of Statkevich, who remained one of the most determined street politicians until the last.
Statkevich and his supporters submit documents to register initiative groups of presidential candidates. About a hundred people gathered in front of the CEC – both potential candidates themselves and those who came to support them. Minsk, Belarus. May 14, 2020.
Photo: IA / Belsat
In one of the letters, Statkevich’s wife Maryna Adamovich received, he wrote that the investigation into his case was complete:
“Syarhei Tsikhanousky, Artsyom Sakau, Dzmitry Papou, Uladzimir Tsyhanovich, Ihar Losik will be “tried” together with me. Each of us is charged under Article 293 part 1 of the Criminal Code (“Organization of mass disorder”). 1. (“Organization of mass riots accompanied with violence to persons, pogroms, arson, destruction of property or armed resistance to representatives of the authorities”). – Belsat.) In addition, all the “accomplices” except for me have additional articles of the Criminal Code.
Presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich, Uladzimir Niakliayeu and Vital Rymasheuski are taking part in an opposition rally in the capital city. About two thousand people gathered to demand fair presidential elections in an event scheduled for December 19, 2010. Minsk, Belarus. 2010.
Photo: Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters / Forum
Former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich during a trial. Minsk, Belarus. May 26, 2011.
Photo: Vasiliy Fedosenko / Reuters / Forum
A man sets up a stand with a portrait of Mikalai Statkevich, a former opposition presidential candidate. The politician celebrates his 56th birthday in prison. Statkevich was sentenced to six years in prison for a December 2010 rally against the re-election of Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Minsk, Belarus. August 12, 2012.
Photo: Basil Fedosenko / Reuters / Forum
Statkevich is currently kept in the remand prison in Homiel, while the trial is held behind closed doors.
There is very little news from the current court session, says the wife of Statkevich, Maryna Adamovich.
“Just the other day I learned that the trial against Mikalai is planned to continue at least until the end of August. No other news leaks from there, as the closed trial is held for the safety of the judge and prosecutors. In the apparent absence of evidence of any crime,” the wife told reporters.
This is not Statkevich’s first imprisonment. He was sentenced to six years in prison for his participation in the 2010 Square, the politician was released early in 2015. He soon became one of those who called on Belarusians to actively protest against Decree No. 3, the so-called anti-social parasites decree.
Opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich speaks during an opposition rally against the results of the parliamentary elections held in Minsk on September 12, 2016.
Photo: Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters / Forum
Maryna Adamovich, wife of politician Mikalai Statkevich, speaking during a peaceful protest in the rain on Independence Avenue. You can read a conversation with Maryna Adamovich here. Minsk, Belarus. August 19, 2020.
Photo: AV / Vot Tak TV / Belsat
Politician Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora in the Polish capital. People came to the meeting with portraits of political prisoners, including Mikalai Statkevich. Warsaw, Poland. June 3, 2021.
Photo: USH / Belsat
Mikalai Statkevich was detained on May 31, 2020, on his way to a picket to collect signatures for the nomination of Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya as a presidential candidate.
Mikalai Statkevich speaking during a rally in support of opposition politicians who collect signatures to run as candidates in the 2020 presidential election. Minsk, Belarus, May 24, 2020.
Photo: Vasiliy Fedosenko / Reuters / Forum
Mikalai Statkevich is one of more than six hundred political prisoners held in Belarusian prisons and detention centers.
