A/HRC/26/44 F. Imprisonment of political opponents, human rights defenders and activists 55. In 2013, three political prisoners were released, having served their full sentence – Zmitser Dashkevich,31 Aliaksandr Frantskevich and Pavel Seviarynets.32 56. As of April 2014, 10 prisoners whose sentences appear to have been politically motivated are still imprisoned – Mikalai Autuhovich, Mikalai Statkevich, Eduard Lobau, Ales Bialiatski, Mikalai Dziakok, Ihar Alinevich, Yauhen Vaskovich, Artsiom Prakapenka, Andrei Haidukou and Vasil Parfiankou. 57. Over the past year, many continued to have limited access to relatives and lawyers, and have faced administrative punishment for alleged violations of the rules of detention. Ales Bialiatski, Head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, has been denied any long-term visits by his wife. He was sentenced in 2011 on charges of tax evasion (A/HRC/23/52, para. 57), and has served his sentence in Penal Colony No. 2 in Babruisk. Four prisoners, Mikalai Autukhovich, Mikalai Dziadok, Mikalai Statkevich and Yauhen Vaskovich, are serving sentences in isolation under strict prison regimes for alleged violations of the rules of detention.33 Former 2010 presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich is serving six years in prison on charges of organizing mass riots, accompanied by “personal violence” and resistance to public agents.34 He was transferred to Prison No. 4 in Mahiliou, after allegedly violating the rules of detention in Penal Colony No. 17 in Shkou. Such a measure is ordered by the court upon application from the prison administration, approved by the supervisory commission at the local executive and administrative body. 58. Andrei Haidukou, an opposition activist and leader of the Union of Young Intellectuals,35 was sentenced in November 2013 by the Vitebsk Regional Court to one and a half years’ imprisonment for attempting to establish cooperation with the security or intelligence agencies of a foreign State.36 He is currently held in Penal Colony No. 19 in Mahiliou. 59. Mikalai Autukhovich has been punished for the last two years,37 with new punishments imposed when older ones expire. On 4 September 2013, one month before the end of one set of punishments, he was again punished for allegedly failing to be in bed on time. He was consequently deprived of receiving parcels and meeting with relatives. 60. Former political prisoners who have been pardoned over the past year still face a preventive supervision procedure,38 restricting their travel and requiring them to regularly report to the police. None have had their civil and political rights fully restored: they are prohibited from running for or occupying public office and must obey restrictions including a curfew, bans on involvement in demonstrations and a requirement to inform the 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Zmitser Dashkevich was released on 28 August 2013. Pavel Seviarynets was released on 19 October 2013. See footnote 21 above, p. 4. Sentenced on 26 May 2011 under Part 1, article 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus. An unregistered organization. Sentenced on 13 November, 2012 under para. 1, Article 14 and Article 356-1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus; see also footnote 21 above. Human Rights Center “Viasna”, “Prison authorities keep harassing Mikalai Autukhovich”, 18 September 2013 (http://spring96.org/en/news/65915). Article 80 of the Criminal Code (http://etalonline.by/?type=text&regnum=HK9900275#load_text_none_1_). 11