Political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka transferred to prison hospital in Žodzina

Political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka, who is currently serving a 2-year politically motivated sentence in a penal colony in Babrujsk, has been transferred to a prison hospital in Žodzina, according to activist Maryna Nasenka.

“The prison authorities can no longer hide the fact that he had serious health problems, and more specifically with his leg, which has not healed for more than seven months. Besides, he has regular asthma attacks,” the activist wrote on Facebook.

Human rights defenders learned about the prisoner’s serious health problems about a month ago. After his transfer to the Babrujsk penal colony, Dzmitry Paliyenka had his leg injured, which refused to heal, there was even a suspicion of gangrene. However, the prison doctor failed to start any treatment. Finally, the prison administration decided to transfer Dzmitry Palieynka to a hospital located in the Žodzina prison.

On March 9, Amnesty International called on the Belarusian authorities to “provide Dzmitry Paliyenka with access to all health care he may require and ensure that he is not placed in conditions that will exacerbate his health problems.”

It also urged to write to the authorities asking to “immediately and unconditionally release Dzmitry Paliyenka, as he is a prisoner of conscience, targeted solely for his peaceful activism.”