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Mikalay Statkevich will «continue life of crime» if released, says prison chief

Mikalay Statkevich will "continue life of crime" if released, Syarhey Yermalitski, chief of Correctional Institution No. 17 in Shklow, Mahilyow region, said in his report on the imprisoned former presidential candidate who is to stand trial on January 12 on a charge of violating prison rules.

In the note, the prison chief also described Mr. Stakevich as a persistent violator of prison rules, saying that the inmate had no intention to mend his ways, Mr. Statkevich’s wife, Maryna Adamovich, told BelaPAN on Thursday.

Mr. Yermalitski suggested that the opposition politician should be placed in a cell-type institution for three years.

“It is clear that a prison is not the best place, but my position is firm,” the wife quoted Mr. Statkevich as saying. “I do not admit guilt to the actions of which I am proud. I thank those who helped the Belarusians start respecting their nation.”

The charge was brought against Mr. Statkevich because of his missing number tag and failure to mention handkerchiefs among his personal items.

According to Ms. Adamovich, authorities are ready to use any pretext to take revenge on her husband for a letter recently smuggled out of his prison.

In May 2011, a district judge in Minsk sentenced Mikalay Statkevich, now 55, to six years in a medium-security prison, finding him guilty of organizing "mass disorder" in connection with the December 19, 2010 post-election protest. //BelaPAN