Statement of PEN Moscow and The Free Word Association

Dmitry Strocev
Dmitry Strocev

A remarkable Belarusian poet, laureate of the Russian Prize Dmitry Strocev suddenly disappeared in Minsk yesterday. And today, twenty hours later, it turned out that he is being kept in detention on Akrestsin Street, in the same isolation centre, where the security forces beat, humiliated, intimidated peaceful protesters.

Kidnapping, illegal detention, refusal to provide connection with relatives, friends and lawyers are evidence of the fear that the Lukashenko regime feels toward its unarmed opponents. We express our complete solidarity with Dmitry and demand his immediate and unconditional release.

Freedom for political prisoners!