Andrei Sharenda: We Should Seize Property Of Lukashenka's Regime Abroad

The husband of a political prisoner has called on the West to take tough action.

Political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, an activist of the European Belarus civil campaign, has been sent from Colony No. 24 in Zarechche to the Republican Mental Health Centre in Navinki for psychiatric evaluation.

Charter97.org received the latest news about the political prisoner from her husband Andrei Sharenda, who now lives in Vilnius with their two sons:

- On Wednesday 28 June, it was finally announced that Palina had been taken to the forensic psychiatric examination unit at the National Navinki Centre. I want to talk about her transfer from Prison No. 24, which took 23 days. In fact, we didn't know where she was since the beginning of June. In general, a transfer is a difficult experience. More often than not, a prisoner is only transferred once - from pre-trial detention to the penal colony to serve his sentence. I have talked to former political prisoners and they say that the transfer is the hardest thing they have experienced during their imprisonment. Palina, on the other hand, is on her fifth transfer.

It is now clear that Lukashenka's regime uses the transfer of prisoners as another element of pressure. The transfers are stressful and cause psychological and physical strain to the guards. Hours, even 24 hours, spent in handcuffs, and Palina has all the possible labels: "prone to escape", "prone to hostage-taking", "assault" and so on. It is clear that she was handcuffed for hours, even twenty-four hours, which is torture.

- Why did the transfer take so long?

- It seems that it is several hundred kilometres from Rechytsa to Minsk, the stage should take a few hours. But for Palina it took three weeks. We know that Palina was probably in Mahiliou, then probably transferred to Baranavichy, although this makes no sense. She was held in Baranavichy for a while, then transferred to Volodarka in Minsk and finally to Navinki. Former political prisoners have told me that the transfer is a stuffy metal cage in the summer and unbearably cold in the winter.

It is clear that the pressure on Palina continues. As soon as we heard that Palina was in Volodarka, her relatives tried to give her a parcel, but were refused because 'the regulations do not allow it'. Palina has not received any support for several months and it is clear that a person on a diet can only survive. We are very worried about my wife's life and health.

It is also known that Palina spent some time in the medical unit of Prison No. 24 before being transferred. The reason for this is unknown. Palina's health may have deteriorated after months in the punishment cell and they wanted to make her transportable.

I ask all international organisations to pay attention to Palina. Her life is in danger.

- Do you have any contact with her?

- Unfortunately not at the moment. A month ago she had a visit from a lawyer, and that was just because my wife was under investigation. It was a formal procedure.

He was with the investigators and Palina could not send any messages. The lawyer is very restricted in his communication, but he said that Palina looks bad. She can hardly move. It is obvious that she is exhausted.

- What does the future hold?

- I would like to mention that Palina had this psychiatric evaluation before her first term. I have great concerns about the reasons for Palina's placement at the Navinki Centre. The real reason is not clear. There are many questions. I have no illusions that I will get answers from the administration of these institutions. Whatever concerns Palina is always a secret. I would like to point out that we are carefully recording the names of all those involved in the repression against Palina. Perhaps that is why they are withholding information.

I ask journalists and all international organisations to report on the situation of Palina in every possible way and to do everything possible for the release of all political prisoners. I am talking about tougher sanctions and continued pressure on the regime. It is now clear that only pressure can influence the Lukashenka regime. Its weakening can bring us closer to victory.

- The International Labour Organisation recently backed a resolution on Belarus. Will such a decision contribute to the release of political prisoners?

- One must understand that sanctions are aimed at weakening the regime, which will bring its collapse closer. We must be aware that only the collapse of the regime will free our political prisoners.

Lukashenka will not voluntarily agree to release Palina, Mikalai Statkevich, Pavel Seviarynets and others. Only his collapse will free our leaders and heroes. No agreements will free our leaders. We will not let anyone play with loaded dice. The regime must be completely isolated.

I call on all countries bordering Belarus to impose a total blockade on the Lukashenka regime. I call on all democratic governments not to tolerate the Gulag in the centre of Europe, where people are being tortured and killed.

Strong pressure on the regime is required. There are assets in Poland, Lithuania and other countries that belong to Belarus - embassies and other facilities. I urge the authorities of the countries that respect freedom and democracy to act in the same way as they did against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. After all, Belarus is also a co-congressor.

Let me repeat: I urge to fight against the regime, including the confiscation of Belarusian property abroad.

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