Mikalai Autukhovich: Prison officers took mean and cowardly actions against me

Former political prisoner Autukhovich is going to solve his health problems in the near future.

He said it in an interview with charter97.org after the release from prison No. 1 in Hrodna.

“The confinement conditions were strict, but they are strict for all inmates. I'd like to say that the prison administration acted not brutally, but meanly. They did mean things on the sly,” he said.

The former political prisoner said he had been offered two times to apply for a pardon to Lukashenka, but he refused finding the proposal unacceptable.

“I am dealing with my health problems and undergoing medical tests all day. We'll see what can be treated and what not. I have some ideas and plans for the near future, but I'd prefer not to speak about it now,” Mikalai Autukhovich said.

Mikalai Autukhovich was released from the Hrodna prison at 8 a.m. today. He was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months for carrying and possessing five cartridges for a hunting rifle. Human rights defenders recognised him as a political prisoner, who was punished for his public activity and exposing corruption.

In January 2012, a court strengthened confinement conditions for Autukhovich calling him a “persistent violator of prison rules”. Autukhovich was moved from correctional facility No. 5 in Ivatsevichy to prison No. 1 in Hrodna.

Mikalai Autukovich will remain under police supervision for 16 months after the release.

Photo: belsat.eu