Activist held in Vitsebsk mental hospital

Ihar Pastnou was taken to Vitsebsk mental hospital on August 16. He used to work there before. The doctor published video appeals criticizing the system of healthcare on Youtube prior to it. Vistebsk District Court decided that he needed to undergo compulsory treatment "according to doctors’ recommendations" on August 21. Neither Pastnou nor his lawyer were present at the hearing behind closed doors.

Civil activist Syarhei Ryzhou has managed to meet Ihar Pastnou today. He recorded their conversation.

Ryzhou: “I have met Ihar Pastnou, recorded our conversation and they won’t let me leave the hospital now. They demand that is should delete it. I have refused to do it because the audio contains sensational information… They may call the police.”

According to Ryzhou, Pastnou is not satisfied with the work of human rights activists who met him. Pastnou did not even know that one of the human right organizations was ready to announce him a prisoner of conscience. The doctors also said that he was undergoing compulsory treatment and that force was being used against him. He is trying to protest.

Ihar Pastnou does not trust the doctors and does not agree with being sent to mental hospital. The treatment affects his health in a negative way, he noted. Pastnou is asking to transfer him to Navinki, Syarhey Ryzhou said. 

Photo: Vitsebsk People’s News