Dzmitry Shlethauer, a 22-year-old political prisoner, died in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15

Viasna human rights activists have received confirmation that Dzmitry Shlethauer, a citizen of the Russian Federation, died in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15. According to preliminary information, it happened on October 11, 2024. He stayed in the penal colony for less than a month. The exact cause of death is unknown. In the summer, he was sentenced to 12 years in a medium security penal colony for "espionage" (Article 358 of the Criminal Code) and "assistance to extremist activities" (Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code). This is the seventh death of a political prisoner behind bars.

Social media revealed that Dzmitry Shlethauer is 22 years old. He was born in Slavgorod, Russia, and received a Belarusian residence permit in 2018. The man worked in Kamianiec at an enterprise that produces polymer products and packaging.

The political prisoner was kept behind bars for less than a year. According to human rights activists, Dzmitry's brother was also detained, but later he was deported to Russia.

A few months ago, Schlethauer was tried under two articles of the Criminal Code. While the trial was taking place, he became a father.

The Supreme Court's website did not provide information on the hearing of his criminal case in the schedule of courts, only the date of hearing his appeal. The appeal was heard on August 30, and the decision was made by a judicial panel chaired by Judge Edhar Martsirasian.

According to Viasna, Dzmitry was sentenced to 12 years in a medium-security penal colony. In early autumn, he was sent to serve time in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15. Shortly after the transfer, he was found dead, but the exact cause of death is unknown.

Viasna human rights defenders express condolences to the relatives and friends of the political prisoner.