Russian political prisoner dies in Belarus penal colony, rights group says

A 22-year-old Russian antheral considered a governmental captive by activists has died successful a penal colony successful Belarus, quality rights radical Viasna said Friday.

The rights radical said it confirmed the decease of Dmitry Shletgauer, who was precocious transferred to a penal colony successful Mogilev successful eastbound Belarus.

Viasna said Shletgauer had been astatine the penal colony for a abbreviated clip earlier his death.

"Provisionally, this happened connected October 11," the rights radical said. "He spent little than a period successful the penal colony. The nonstop origin of decease is unknown."

Shletgauer received a 12-year condemnation aft being convicted of espionage and facilitating extremist activities.

He was arrested successful the crackdown successful Belarus that occurred aft the disputed 2020 statesmanlike predetermination of Alexander Lukashenko that gave the strongman a sixth term.

In September, Shletgauer joined Viasna's database of recognized governmental prisoners successful Belarus.

Belarus, a adjacent state of Russia, is reported to person astir 1,300 governmental prisoners, according to Viasna.

Radio Free Europe reports Shletgauer was calved successful Slavgorod, Russia, and acquired residency successful Belarus successful 2018.

Some accusation for this communicative came from Agence France-Presse.