Mіhaіl Marynіch: First international rehabilitation of Belarusian political prisoners

Mihail Marynich has given an interview to the “Narodnaya Volya” newspaper and has expressed a positive opinion about the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee. According to him, it is the first time an international organization has rehabilitated political prisoners in Belarus which is important for the whole Belarusian society. Let us remind you that the Committee has noted that the Belarusian court that sentenced the politician to 5 years of imprisonment for stealing office equipment from the US Embassy in 2004 was not fair and independent. In the opinion of the UN Committee, Marynich’s lawsuit was strictly controlled by security agencies and the judges were biased when assessing the collected evidence and witnesses’ statements.

Experts have also come to a conclusion that 5 months of pre-trial detention violated his right for freedom and security of person. The interrogation episodes accompanied by false and insulting comments that were shown on TV violated the presumption of innocence. It was also admitted that the politician was tortured and was a victim of brutal treatment which disgraced him.

The Belarusian state will have to provide Marynich with the necessary medical treatment and a criminal investigation to find the people responsible for unwarrantable treatment of the political prisoner. The Belarusian officials have to inform the UN about measures taken by them within 100 days.