PARTNERSHIP FOUR LANGUISH IN JAIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000394

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