ASSOCIATE DENIES THAT KAZULIN APPLIED FOR RELEASE ON PAROLE
Submitted by newseditor on Tue, 04/03/2008 - 15:14.
Alyaksandr Kazulin’s former lawyer has denied that the former presidential candidate applied for release on parole.
In a letter that Dr. Kazulin’s family received on February 26, the administration of the correctional institution where the opposition politician is held said that he had been denied release on parole over his poor conduct record on January 30, Ihar Rynkevich, now deputy chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party “Hramada,” told BelaPAN.
According to Mr. Rynkevich, a prisoner may be released on parole only after serving at least half of the sentence, while Dr. Kazulin served only a third of his term. “That’s why neither relatives, nor the lawyer and Kazulin himself could apply for release on parole and did not do this,” Mr. Rynkevich said.
He noted that Dr. Kazulin’s daughter, Yuliya, had petitioned the administration of the correctional facility over the possibility of commuting the father’s prison sentence to community service.
The administration of the correctional facility is expected to send its conclusions about the possibility of a milder sentence for the politician to a court within a month’s time. “The conclusions may be positive or negative, but it is the court that must decide on the matter, not the administration of the correctional facility,” Mr. Rynkevich explained.
Commenting on Monday’s remarks by Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumaw who said that there were no grounds for the amnesty of Dr. Kazulin, Mr. Rynkevich said, “It is unclear why Navumaw raised the subject of the amnesty which is about to expire.” “Apparently, this was meant to tell the Belarusian and international public that Kazulin’s release is problematic now. That’s why the former presidential candidate’s associates are urging human rights organizations and all people of good will to step up pressure on authorities to ensure that Kazulin is released as soon as possible,” Mr. Rynkevich said.
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