Katarina Barley Warns Belarusian Authorities: Perpetrators Will Be Brought To Justice

• 25.07.2023, 15:40

The Vice-President of the European Parliament supported Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk and Mikalai Statkevich.

German politician, Vice-President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley warned the Belarusian authorities about the responsibility for torturing political prisoners.

“IEnglish Version: 160 days have passed since we last heard from Mikalai Statkevich, a courageous Belarusian opposition activist. His wife Marina and his legal counsel are denied any contact or information. We are deeply concerned about his state of health and the denial of necessary medical care. He has been held incommunicado for more than 3 years.

Activist Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk has been subjected to unimaginable cruelty in Penal Colony 24. She has been held for over 200 days in inhumane punishment cells known for torture-like conditions. She is apparently in acute danger of death - but no direct contact has been possible with her for months either.

We stand united against the isolation and torture of Mikalai Statkevich and Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk - and all other democrats who are unjustly locked away in prison. We name their names and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Katarina Barley’s message reads.

Recall that Natallia Radzina, the Editor-in-Chief of Charter97.org, as well as Maryna Adamovich, the wife of Mikalai Statkevich, and Andrei Sharenda, the husband of Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, held a number of bilateral meetings in Brussels with MEPs and EU diplomats.