"They changed me into regular clothes, gave me travel money and sent me away": how political prisoners are pardoned
Over the past three months, a total of at least 115 political prisoners, including senior citizens and people with serious illnesses, have been pardoned and released from places of incarceration in Belarus. Pro-government activist Yury Vaskrasenski said that the authorities had received 900 more petitions for pardon. At the same time, according to information from former political prisoners, Vaskrasenski personally calls the relatives of political prisoners and urges them to influence their loved ones to write a petition. One of the pardoned prisoners told Viasna about the suggestion to write a petition for pardon, about the threats for refusal, about the day of release and following restrictions.
- The photo is illustrative
"They still have all the documents with sentences and appeals"
Ivan (name changed for security reasons) recalls that he was suggested to write a petition for pardon a few weeks before his release. The man initially refused, but a few days later he was called back and explained that in case of refusal, the remaining term "would seem like hell to him." Ivan refused again, but the next day they put paper and pen in front of him andwith threats insisted on writing the petition.
After that, everything was quiet until the day of his release.
"That day, I was taken from the industrial zone and released, while my belongings, and most importantly, all documents except my passport and driver's license, were not returned. That is, they still have all the documents with sentences, appeals, etc. Roughly speaking, they changed me into regular clothes, gave me money for travel and food, the money that was on my account, and sent me away.
You are brought to the headquarters, then you're taken to the reception room for the convicts, 'all your things' are brought there, and things are brought before you arrive. They say, 'Change your clothes and take your stuff,' then they take you to the exit. The head of the penal colony meets you there, you sign the release papers, they give you a certificate, they take you to the accountant, she gives you money, and they take you out the gate. I found out about the release at the moment when I was brought to the headquarters. No one says anything before that."
30 more political prisoners pardoned in Belarus
It is reported that among them there are 7 women and 23 men.
According to Ivan, Yury Vaskrasenski called the relatives of some prisoners and offered them to give an interview.
Restrictions after release
After the pardon, prisoners need to register with the Penal Enforcement Inspectorate and come to report once a week. At the same time, they are verbally informed that if they do not work, then once a week they must do eight hours of community service. Ivan's criminal record was not expunged after the pardon. In addition, he was banned from leaving Belarus for a period equal to the unserved sentence.
Since his release, police officers have come to Ivan once, checked his phone for "extremism". They told him to "stay out of troubles." At the same time, the interlocutor says, they were tactful and polite.
"Innocent people are forced to appeal to the dictator for their release." Pavel Sapelka on the appeal for amnesty
