After five months in SIZO No. 2 in Viciebsk, British citizen Alan Smith was finally allowed to meet with relatives. On a visit from London to Viciebsk came his sister. After the meeting, "Viciebsk Spring" talked with Tanya Smith. Our conversation took place right in the remand center, in the reception room of the programs.
Ms. Tanya, please tell us about your meeting with your brother. How long did it last?
In fact, we were given the opportunity to have not one but two meetings. Two hours – the first meeting, and the next day – two more hours. But it was not a meeting in full understanding of the word. There was no privacy, we were not there – we were only allowed to communicate through the telephone. I asked the prison staff if I could meet again somehow. They replied: no, only once.
What is your impression of the meeting? How does Alan keep?
He keeps cheerfully. But it is clear how difficult it is for him. Has strongly grown thin. During his stay in prison he lost 15 kilograms. He said that he must always sit in a small room, without walks.
What else did Alan say about the conditions of detention?
In the room where he sits, dirty. Only once a week you can take a shower. Also, only once a week there is the opportunity to wash clothes. Once my brother felt ill, asked to be called to a doctor – so the request was not satisfied for a long time. When the doctor finally came, he gave him overdue pills. As a result, things got worse.
Alan has a metal prosthesis in his hand, and he needs physical exercises, but he forbids the necessary exercises, forbids stretching or even raising his hand. He also needs psychotherapy, but this is not allowed.
Every month, some unusual guards in masks and uniforms with large weapons navigate in the cell. This is very frightening to the sitters. Alan does not understand what it is.
Magdalena, Alan's wife, told us that her letters did not reach her-she received only one letter within the last month. Viciebsk human rights activist Leonid Svetik also said that he sent a letter to Alan in December, but he did not receive any response. Can you say something about this?
This is really a big problem. We write letters to Alan regularly. But most of them he had never seen. And Alan himself – he writes letters to us almost every day. However, we do not receive them.
The question of the essence of the matter. We only know that Alan was charged under Article 371¹ of the Criminal Code – the organization of illegal migration. But we have no more information.
Now the investigation is completed. Alan and his lawyer are studying the case materials. But in fact, he is not guilty of anything! Their only proof is a photograph of how he helped a woman with a disability from Iraq to get into the car. That's all they have. Can they send a person to prison just for a shot?!
Soon the case materials will be submitted to the prosecutor for consideration. Can the prosecutor cancel the case?
Theoretically, he can. But based on practice in Belarus, it is unlikely to do so. So get ready for trial. The fact that in the court case will be won – especially do not expect...
If there is a trial, we will all come to him. I hope there will be journalists and human rights activists at the trial. I'm sure Alan will win the court. After all, he is not guilty of anything!
Kastus Dzvinski
