PARTNERSHIP FOUR LANGUISH IN JAIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000393 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2016 TAGS: PHUM PGOV BO SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOUR LANGUISH IN JAIL REF: MINSK 205 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador George Krol for Reasons 1.4(B,D ) ¶1. (C) Summary: On April 6, the Ambassador and DCM met with the families of the four jailed Partnership activists (reftel). Ambassador stressed the USG has not forgotten about their loved ones, and that he will continue to insist the GOB release all four immediately. The families expressed their frustration that no progress is being made in the criminal investigation. While prison conditions are adequate, the detainees' morale is sinking the longer they remain incarcerated. The families complained strongly that they are not allowed to visit the detainees. One of the prisoners, Timofei Dranchuk, became a father on April 5, but he was denied permission to even call his wife in the hospital. Dranchuk's father wrote to the CIS Election Observation Mission in Minsk to complain about this jailing of independent election observers. Rather than replying, the CIS passed his letter to the Prosecutor General. End summary. ¶2. (U) On April 6, Ambassador and DCM met with the families of the Partnership activists, Nikolay Astreyka, Enira Bronitskaya, Timofei Dranchuk, and Aleksandr Shalaika, arrested on February 21, who remain in BKGB detention (reftel). Ambassador informed the families that the USG has not forgotten about their loved ones and that he, as well senior officials in Washington, have and will continue to demand that the GOB release them immediately. No Progress in a Political Case -------------- ¶3. (C) The families explained that there is no apparent progress in the cases. Nikolay Astreyka's wife said the BKGB last questioned Nikolay on February 22. The other family members stated the others were also sitting in jail, wondering what was happening with their cases. No formal charges have been filed so far, and their lawyers do not know what to expect. Under the law, the GOB has until April 21 to conduct its preliminary investigation, but in practice this can be extended for many months. ¶4. (C) The families agreed their loved ones are in jail for political reasons. They are under investigation for representing an unregistered NGO, but Partnership tried to register twice and was blocked each time by the GOB. The families all agreed that this prolonged imprisonment, 45 days as of April 6, is backfiring on the regime. They claimed that previously apolitical friends and relatives are very upset at the government and tell the families they now see Lukashenko's true nature. Prison Conditions Bearable, but No Visits Allowed -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) The families stated that the detainees are being held in relatively good conditions, all things considered, although there are some complaints. They receive adequate food, and are allowed out for two hours of walking and listening to the radio daily. They can watch two to three hours of television a day, but only Belarusian state television. Each shares a four-person cell with three other people, although none is in a cell with any of the other Partnership activists. Aleksandr Shalaika's wife complained her husband is in a cell with a murderer, a thief and a drug trafficker. Each is allowed to shower once a week, but there is only cold water. Brontiskaya's mother said her daughter has been sick because of the cold conditions in the cell. ¶6. (C) None of the family members have been allowed to visit the detainees. The Prosecutor General's office argued that no visits are possibly during the investigation. Most egregiously, Timofei Dranchuk was denied permission to be present at the birth of his son on April 5. Timofei applied for permission to at least call his wife in the hospital, but the Prosecutor General also denied this request. Despite these problems the families all apply weekly for permission to visit. Their lawyers are allowed to meet with the detainees once a week. Deliveries Censored -------------- ¶7. (C) The families and detainees are allowed to send each other weekly letters through the mail. The families are numbering each letter, and this way discovered that several letters were not delivered. They said that they can see that the morale of the detainees is falling weekly. The families have the legal right to send money to detainees, so they can purchase goods in the jail's commissary, but all the money sent has disappeared en route. Every two weeks the families are allowed to send a delivery of foodstuffs, toiletries and clothing. It is forbidden to send books, including copies of the Criminal Code. As an experiment Enira Bronitskaya's mother even tried sending books by Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, but these were also blocked. Instead, detainees only have access to the prison's outdated library. The families were successful in subscribing to newspapers to be sent to the jail. Astreyka receives four newspapers, including independent press, and Aleksandr Shalaika was able to get hold of Germ an language papers, arguing he wanted to teach himself German (which he already speaks). CIS Observers Not Impartial -------------- ¶8. (C) Dranchuk's father stated that he sent a letter to Vladimir Rushailo, head of the CIS Election Observation Mission, complaining his son had been arrested simply for trying to organize independent election observation. The CIS mission did not reply, but passed the letter to the Prosecutor General's office, which took Dranchuk to task for writing the letter. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) The families were clearly frustrated and did not know what to do next. They had met with the local OSCE office, but did not think to ask them to attempt to visit the detainees. Post also suggested they appeal through the Red Cross. Post will continue to follow this clearly political case, and will keep pressing the GOB to release these four. Krol