Lukashenko agrees to release Statkevich

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has approved the request of the relatives of Nikolai Statkevich, who was sentenced to 14 years, to release him after a serious illness. According to the press secretary of the Belarusian leader, Natalya Eismont, the pardon decision had already been made earlier, but Statkevich refused to go to the 'garden of paradise' and returned to prison. In recent time, the prisoner began experiencing health problems, including a brain infarction. After being admitted to a hospital where he received necessary medical care, the president decided to transfer Statkevich to a medical facility. Subsequently, the head of state received numerous letters from his wife and relatives asking to let the prisoner go home for further observation and care. Based on their appeal, the president agreed to transfer Statkevich to house confinement, where he currently is and is recovering.

Context

Nikolai Statkevich, a former opposition activist, was sentenced to 14 years for participating in protests. Earlier, in 2018, he was granted amnesty, but he refused to go to a closed facility for prisoners.