22-Year-Old Political Prisoner Dies in Belarusian Jail
Dmitriy Schletgauer's death raises concerns over prison conditions amidst ongoing crackdown on dissent.
- Dmitriy Schletgauer, a Russian-born political prisoner, was serving a 12-year sentence for espionage and facilitating extremist activities.
- His death marks the seventh such occurrence since Belarus intensified its crackdown on opposition following the disputed 2020 election.
- Rights groups claim Belarus holds around 1,300 political prisoners, many of whom are denied medical care and family contact.
- Authorities have not disclosed the cause of Schletgauer's death, which occurred on October 11 but was only recently reported.
- Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for an independent investigation and international intervention to address prison conditions.
Associated Press 
