A/HRC/20/8 overcrowded cells with poor food and inadequate sanitation, and limited access to medical assistance and clergy. They are also reportedly routinely subjected to humiliating searches, verbal and physical abuse, and other forms of harassment. These deficiencies in the penitentiary system became particularly evident in the context of the administrative and criminal cases relating to the events of 19 December 2010. 47. During the court hearings, Andrei Sannikau alleged that, after his arrest on 19 December, he was severely beaten, and denied medical treatment and access to a restroom. He was reportedly forced to lie still on a wooden bunk bed in bright light.29 On 22 January, Mr Sannikau was reportedly visited by KGB chief Vadzim Zaitsau, who allegedly threatened the “life and health” of Mr Sannikau‟s wife (journalist Iryna Khalip) and his 3year-old son.30 48. Another presidential candidate, Ales Mikhalevich, alleged that, in January 2011, the KGB tortured him and other detainees at its high-security prison in Minsk.31 He was forced to write “a plea for indulgence” to President Lukashenka and to “strike a deal” with the KGB, which he later denounced. According to the Government, the Office of the Prosecutor-General conducted a formal investigation of Mr Mikhalevich‟s allegations, but reportedly found no evidence and nobody was charged.32 Another former detainee, journalist Natalia Radzina, declared after her release that KGB officers had subjected her to psychological pressure and attempted to recruit her as an informant. On 10 March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it condemned the torture of Mr Mikhalevich and Ms Radzina.33 Other detainees (including Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, Zmitser Bandarenka and Myjalai Statkevich) also alleged that they had been subjected to torture or degrading treatment while in detention. In some cases, torture was reportedly inflicted by masked personnel – allegedly State security agents – which made it difficult to identify them and impossible to bring charges against them.34 49. In some cases, ill-treatment allegedly continued after sentencing. 35 Uladzimir Kobets, Head of the electoral headquarters of Mr Sannukau, alleged that he was forced to sign documents on collaboration with the KGB; he was reportedly threatened by security agents that his refusal to collaborate might put his family and friends at risk.36 E. Freedom of expression and the media 50. According to article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of expression. Article 34 of the Constitution of Belarus guarantees freedom of speech. However, independent and international media observers and journalists have consistently denounced the Government‟s restrictions on freedom of speech and the media. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 BelaPAN, 12 May 2011; see http://news.tut.by/politics/226615.html. Amnesty International: Urgent Action, “Belarus: Further information: Prisoner of conscience now incommunicado”, 18 May 2011. Available from www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR49/013/2011/en. McCue & Partners, Case summary of the prosecution of Alexander Lukashenko, Major General Vadim Zaitsev, Anatoly Kuleshov for crimes of torture and hostage taking, 26 September 2011. Available from www.mccue-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/00001.BEL_.2011.09.26.Casesummary-f2.pdf. CAT/C/BLR/CO/4/Add.1. European Parliament resolution P7_TA-PROV(2011)0099. Jerome Taylor, “President‟s rival tells of torture in Belarus jail”, Independent, 1 March 2011. See FIDH, www.fidh.org/The-International-Federation-for, 10 June 2011. See Charter 97, http://charter97.org/ru/news/2011/9/19/42696, 19 September 2011. 13