The unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on the family members of Belarusian politicians and activists

Parliament demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mikalai Statkevich and all 1500 political prisoners in Belarus. A former presidential candidate and 2020 Sakharov Prize laureate, Mr Statkevich is serving a 14-year sentence based on politically motivated charges, with his health deteriorating due to being kept in solitary confinement. MEPs strongly condemn unjustified and politically motivated sentences orchestrated by the regime of Belarusian dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka and insist that the country’s political prisoners must receive proper medical assistance and access to lawyers, family, diplomats and international organisations to have their status assessed. They also want the EU to increase pressure on the regime in Minsk through new sanctions and reiterate their call to prosecute those who have committed human rights violations and war…