Political prisoner Tatsiana Kolas, who was convicted in the “Black Book of Belarus” case, has been diagnosed with cancer. This was reported by the Viasna Human Rights Centre.
According to the human rights organisation, the woman is expected to be transferred to a hospital for further examinations and treatment. However, the transfer is not planned to take place for several months.
Tatsiana is also suffering from severe back pain caused by a compression fracture of the spine she sustained earlier.
Tatsiana Kolas has been in custody for more than four years. In October 2022, the Minsk City Court sentenced the former employee of the Minsk City Executive Committee to six and a half years in prison under four articles of the Criminal Code. She was found guilty on charges related to providing information to the Black Book of Belarus Telegram channel.
According to the investigation, the woman, who had access to the personal data of law enforcement officers, passed the information to the Telegram channel. Kolas was convicted of unlawful handling of personal data, inciting social hatred, unlawful acquisition of computer information and abuse of official authority.
Tatsiana Kolas was detained in June 2022. She has a minor son. She is currently being held at Women’s Correctional Colony No. 4 in Homiel.