The wife of a Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ales Bialiatski, has raised concerns about the deteriorating health of her husband due to the authorities' refusal to provide him with necessary medication. Bialiatski, a 61-year-old pro-democracy activist, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Belarus. His family reports that his serious chronic illnesses have worsened during his three years of incarceration.
Despite efforts by his family to supply him with medicine, Belarusian authorities have been withholding the medication, according to Bialiatski's wife. The Interior Ministry has not responded to requests for information regarding this matter.
Bialiatski was arrested following mass protests in 2020 that erupted after an election widely viewed as rigged, resulting in President Alexander Lukashenko securing a sixth term in office. The subsequent crackdown on dissent led to the arrest of over 35,000 individuals and reports of police brutality against protesters.
Despite being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, Bialiatski's detention conditions have not improved. In March 2023, he and three colleagues were found guilty of smuggling and financing actions that violate public order.
Human rights activists have highlighted the plight of political prisoners in Belarus, with over 1,400 individuals currently behind bars. Reports indicate that authorities are deliberately subjecting prisoners to harsh conditions, including depriving them of medical care and communication with their families and legal representatives.
Bialiatski is reportedly enduring physical abuse and forced labor in prison, with limited contact with the outside world. His wife expressed concerns about the lack of correspondence reaching him and the challenging circumstances he faces on a daily basis.
While Lukashenko recently announced an amnesty for seriously ill prisoners, releasing 18 political detainees, including one suffering from cancer, Bialiatski's wife remains skeptical about her husband's chances of being granted freedom.
The situation underscores the ongoing human rights violations in Belarus and the challenges faced by political prisoners in the country.
