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Lawyer Harry Pahanyajla commented on the trial against Nikolai Statkevich, convicted in the "Case of December 19," which was held in Shklou colony on Thursday. According to the human rights activist, this is the first time when a person, serving a sentence, is sentenced to a more rigorous imprisonment, Telegraf reported.

"Such cases of transfer from the usual detention facilities into prison have never happened before. Nikolai Statkevich is the first case," said Harry Pahanyajla.

Human rights activist added that the colonies of strict and reinforced regimes differ from prison only by conditions of detention, reports the Belarusian service of Radio "Liberty."

The number of visits is always limited in prison. There are also restrictions relating to correspondence. The prisoner is allowed to spend only one basic amount per month. Harry Pahanyaila notes that prisoners are banned from the long-term visits; they are also forbidden to receive parcels.

It's permitted to call close relatives only in exceptional cases. The lawyer says that people who have repeatedly violated the prison rules are usually sent to such prisons. It also touches upon the especially dangerous criminals, sentenced by court for the first five years.

Harry Pahanyajla says that two to four people are usually contained in a prison cell; there are no special regulations on this issue. A solitary cell is also provided.

"They can keep in solitary confinement. It depends on what cells they have and where the administration could place Statkevich. The solitary is characterized by a more rigid regime, more rigid schedule. Any disobedience is punished with sanctions. In a word, the conditions are, certainly, the worst," concluded the lawyer.

As Telegraf previously reported, Thursday, January 12, ex-presidential candidate Nikolai Statkevich stood trial in Shklou colony № 17. The condemned in the "Case of December 19" got his measure of restraint changed on the initiative of the colony authorities. According to the court decision, Statkevich would spend three years in a more rigorous prison.