Political prisoner Vatslau Areshka completely lost his sight in the colony but managed to write a few words to his grandchildren himself
"He used to see light and shadow; now even that is gone. And he doesn't talk about how he copes with this, avoiding this difficult topic," his relative says.
Political prisoner Vatslau Areshka, an activist of the independent trade union of radio-electronic industry sentenced to eight years, has become completely blind. This was reported by a relative of the political prisoner, writes Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
"He used to see light and shadow; now even that is gone. He doesn't talk about how he copes with this, avoiding this difficult topic. Three days ago, he sent a letter, congratulating his grandchildren on their birthdays. He even wrote a few words with his own hand, though it turned out illegible, almost nothing could be read, but it's good that he tries," his relative told about Vatslau Areshka.
According to the source, the administration of penal colony No. 22, where political prisoner Areshka is held, offered to transfer him to a hospital, but he refused.
"As far as I know, he's afraid to go to the hospital because he might not withstand the transfer. What journalist Semchanka said about Vatslau is all true," the source added.
In September, journalist Dzmitry Semchanka, who was serving his term in the same Ivatsevichy penal colony, spoke about Vatslau Areshka's poor condition on the Belsat TV channel.
"His retina detached, and it was getting worse and worse. We already led him to make phone calls; we literally led him to the kitchen. He walks, but he sees nothing. While he could initially see on not-too-sunny days when the sun didn't blind him, he no longer sees in the dark; he can't go to the toilet at night. This person is going through such suffering. It's, well, indescribable," former political prisoner Dzmitry Semchanka recounted.
Vatslau Areshka is 71 years old. According to the political prisoner's relative, he also has other illnesses.
"He also has high blood pressure, back problems, and leg issues. It's getting worse," the source reported regarding Vatslau Areshka's health.
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