{"id":69871,"date":"2024-02-27T13:50:39","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T10:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/69871\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"un-rights-experts-urge-minsk-to-pardon-jailed-opposition-politician-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/69871\/","title":{"rendered":"UN rights experts urge Minsk to pardon jailed opposition politician with cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Ryhor Kastusio\u016d at the trial\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (ATN)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 27, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> The United Nations human rights experts have called<\/a> on the Belarusian government to grant veteran opposition politician Ryhor Kastusio\u016d a pardon or remission of sentence, or replace his imprisonment with an alternative form of deprivation of liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kastusio\u016d, 66, leader of the outlawed Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), was diagnosed with cancer. He is serving a 10-year prison term after being found guilty of conspiracy to seize power in connection with a Zoom call, in which he said he took part as a listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN experts have expressed their concern at his reported critical condition and ill-treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Failure to provide adequate medical treatment and care to detainees in critical condition violates Belarus\u2019 obligation under international human rights law to treat persons deprived of liberty with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity,” their statement said. “It may even amount to torture.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite his deteriorating health, the penal colony administration held Kastusio\u016d in punishment cells and the colony\u2019s internal prison. The politician could not challenge these decisions due to a “lack of adequate legal safeguards,” the statement noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In mid-January, authorities transferred Kastusio\u016d to a Hrodna prison where he is held in a single cell. The politician\u2019s family members said he complained of deteriorating health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prison administration deprived him of visits and confiscated his personal records and correspondence contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human rights defenders consider Kastusio\u016d a political prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BPF leader\u2019s relatives say sentence too harsh<\/h3>\n
September 5, BPN. Ryhor Kastusio\u016d\u2019s relatives expected him to receive a minimum prison term, the politician\u2019s son-in-law \u0179micier Anton\u010dyk told BPN. On September 5, Minsk Regional Court Judge U\u0142adzimir Are\u0161ka sentenced the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) chairman to 10 years\u2019 imprisonment …<\/div>\n \n