Political Prisoner Václav Oreshko Has Completely Lost His Sight
- 8.10.2026, 15:01
But he was able to write a few words to his grandchildren himself.
A political prisoner sentenced to eight years, Václav Ořesko, an activist with the independent trade union of the radio-electronics industry has gone completely blind. This was reported by a relative of the political prisoner, according to “Radio Svaboda”.
“He used to be able to see light and shadows, but now even that is gone. He doesn’t say anything about how he’s coping with it; he avoids this difficult topic. Three days ago, he sent a letter wishing his grandchildren a happy birthday. He even wrote a few words in his own hand—though his handwriting was illegible, and I could hardly read anything—but it’s good that he’s trying,” said one of Vaclav Oreshko’s relatives.
According to the source, the administration of Colony No. 22, where political prisoner Oreshko is being held, offered to transport him to a hospital, but he refused.
“As far as I know, he’s afraid to go to the hospital because he might not survive the transfer. Everything journalist Semchenko said about Vaclav is true,” the source added.
In September, journalist Dmitry Semchenko, who was serving his sentence at the same Ivaceviči colony, spoke on the “Belsat” TV channel about Vaclav Oreshko’s poor health.
“His retina had detached, and things were getting worse and worse. We used to have to take him just to make a phone call—we literally had to take him all the way to the kitchen. He walks, but he can’t see a thing. If he could see at first—on a day when it wasn’t too sunny, when the sun wasn’t blinding him—he can’t see in the dark anymore; he can’t go to the bathroom at night. This man is going through such suffering. It’s, well, indescribable,” said former political prisoner Dmitry Semchenko.
Václav Oreshko is 71 years old. According to a relative of the political prisoner, he also has other health conditions.
“He also has high blood pressure, back problems, and issues with his legs. It’s getting worse and worse,” a source said regarding Václav Oreshko’s health.