Statement by the Spokesperson on further punishment of Mikalay Statkevich, political prisoner in Belarus

The decision by a Belarusian court to further punish former presidential candidate and political prisoner Mikalay Statkevich, transferring him to a cell-type prison for allegedly violating prison rules, is deplorable. Detained since December 2010, Mikalay Statkevich continues to suffer unacceptable treatment.

The importance of releasing all political prisoners remains crucial in the context of improving EU-Belarus relations.