One of the oldest political prisoners in Belarus and a union leader Vasil Berasneu, 74, was released following an amnesty. Human rights defenders have received this report from Vasil’s colleagues.
Vasil Berasneu is the leader of the Orsha district branch of the independent REP union and the acting President of the Belarusian Radio and Electronic Workers’ Union (REP). The Judge Anastasia Papko sentenced him to 9 years in a higher security prison.
During his time in the pre-trial detention facility, Vasil’s health dramatically deteriorated: he developed severe pains in his only kidney. The situation progressed to a point when drug therapy was no longer meaningful and kidney transplantation was required.
According to the human rights defenders, despite all the pressures he suffered behind bars, his serious health problems, and his release through amnesty, Vasil has never admitted his guilt.
Almost forty trade union activists recognized as political prisoners by human rights defenders still linger in Belarusian prisons and penitentiaries.
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