Allegations Surround the death of Political Prisoner in Belarus

In a deeply troubling report, Belarus’s oldest human rights group, Viasna, claims that 22-year-old political prisoner Dmitriy Schletgauer has died in custody. Serving a 12-year sentence for espionage and “facilitating extremist activities,” Schletgauer’s death marks the seventh dissenter to allegedly perish in Belarusian prisons since the regime’s harsh crackdown on opposition in 2020. This crackdown followed a disputed election that granted President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term, a result widely condemned by critics and international observers as fraudulent.

Viasna reports that around 1,300 political prisoners are currently held in Belarus, many allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment, lacking adequate medical care, and cut off from their families. The circumstances surrounding Schletgauer’s death remain unclear, with Belarusian authorities reportedly refusing to disclose the cause, which is raising even more eyebrows.

Pavel Sapelka, a representative from Viasna, emphasized that conditions in Belarusian jails have turned into a form of torture. He stated, “A young man died behind bars and the authorities are responsible.” It’s a stark reminder of the dire situation many face in the country, especially for those who dare to speak out against the regime.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has echoed these sentiments, calling for an independent investigation into Schletgauer’s death. She insists that international experts must be granted access to Belarusian prisons to uncover the truth behind these disturbing allegations. “We must learn the truth about the deaths in prisons, which in Belarus have turned into a black hole,” she urged.

This situation highlights the ongoing human rights crisis in Belarus, where the fight for justice and transparency continues amidst oppressive conditions.