Viasna volunteer Andrei Chapiuk placed in an isolation cell a day before a meeting with his parents

Political prisoner Andrei Chapiuk has served his term in Ivacevičy penal colony No. 22 since March 2023. According to Viasna, on August 16, Andrei was supposed to have a meeting with his parents in the penal colony, but on August 14 he was placed in a punitive isolation cell (SHIZO) for 10 days. The reason was a "violation of the clothing regulations." Long-term and short-term visits are prohibited for prisoners in SHIZO, so it is not known when Andrei will be able to see his parents next time.

Recall that in September 2022, ten political prisoners were sentenced at once, including Marfa Rabkova, the coordinator of the Viasna volunteer service, and Andrei Chapiuk, a volunteer. The political prisoner was sentenced to six years of imprisonment.

He was charged under Part 1 of Article 13, Part 2 of Article 293 (preparation for participation in mass riots), Part 2 of Article 285 (participation in a criminal organization), Part 1 of Article 130 (inciting other social hatred), Article 341 (desecration of buildings and damage to property; for graffiti directed against the European Games in 2019). At his trial, Andrei delivered a powerful last speech.

Later, the Supreme Court reduced his sentence by three months, i. e. to 5 years and 9 months of imprisonment.

Andrei's place of imprisonment:

Penal colony No. 22. 225295, Brest region, Ivatsevichy, station Damanava, PO box 20