Navigates the squad by touch, periodically receives reports: what is known about political prisoner Vatslau Areshka
71-year-old Vatslau Areshka, an activist of the Radioelectronic Industry trade union, has been behind bars for over four years. In early 2023, the political prisoner was sentenced to eight years in prison in the case of Belarusian independent trade unions. During his imprisonment, he practically lost his sight, but he has not yet been granted disability status in the penal colony.
Despite his age and health condition, Lukashenka's regime continues to hold the pensioner in captivity. "Viasna" spoke with a former political prisoner who served time with Vatslau Areshka, and learned the latest news about him.
71-year-old Vatslau is a Belarusian political scientist and public figure, an activist of the REP trade union, which was recognized as an "extremist formation". The man has been held behind bars since April 19, 2022.
During his imprisonment, Vatslau Areshka's health significantly deteriorated — he virtually lost his sight. A former political prisoner who was in the same penal colony with Vatslau notes that Vatslau navigates the local sector territory and the squad independently — by touch. In other cases, he requires assistance, so he is usually accompanied by other prisoners.
“He knows the squad perfectly: where everything is! When he walks around the local area, the guys usually call out to him, telling him where to turn, where the steps are, where a curb or a fence is. He walks independently both day and night.
But because he cannot see anything, it is very difficult for him to go to the dining hall or the medical unit; there is always a person accompanying him! This person is usually not always the same, but different individuals.”
However, according to the interlocutor, the administration occasionally prohibits other prisoners from helping the pensioner.
Overall, as of early summer, Vatslau's well-being was not bad, considering all the peculiarities of his detention, says the former political prisoner. According to him, the administration sometimes issues reports and penalties to Vatslau, but for what reason — is unknown.
According to "Viasna," the political prisoner is allowed phone calls, but he has not had any meetings with relatives during his imprisonment.