Statement of the Christian Vision Group Regarding Political Prisoner Pavel Kuchynski’s Deprivation of Vital Medical Care

Catholic faithful from Maladziečna, Pavel Kuchynski, was detained on 26 January 2022 for publishing critical comments online and placed in custody. On 11 April 2022, he was charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code: 369 (Insulting a representative of authority), 389 (Threat against a judge);  368 (Insulting the President of Belarus); 391 (Insulting a judge or a lay judge); 364 (Threat of violence against a representative of authority).

Pavel Kuchynski is being held in remand prison no. 8 in Žodzina. He has been diagnosed with an oncological condition (Hodgkin lymphoma) of the 4th stage are requires urgent medical care. Due to his condition, he has the disability of the 2nd group (in the Belarusian classification). He was treated at the N.N. Alexandrov Republican Centre for Oncology and Medical Radiology in Minsk. Due to the detention, Pavel Kuchynski has not received a scheduled course of chemotherapy. On 25 March 2022, a CT scan revealed further progression of the lymphoma and the presence of inflammation in the lung.

We express our deep concern about Pavel Kuchynski’s state of health and the lack of access to the necessary therapy for a progressing oncological condition, which can lead to the premature death of a 27-year-old person.

We call on the body conducting the criminal investigation against Pavel Kuchynski to undertake all necessary measures to provide the political prisoner with the necessary and timely medical care in full in accordance with the recommendations of his doctor, including changing his preventive measure to a house arrest.

We appeal to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus for help to draw attention to the situation of the Catholic faithful, Pavel Kuchynski, and petition the state authorities to provide the political prisoner with the necessary medical and pastoral assistance.

We also ask the representative of the Holy See in Belarus, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ante Jozić, to undertake all possible diplomatic steps for obtaining comprehensive information about the situation of the Catholic faithful, Pavel Kuchynski, imprisoned for political reasons; to ensure his rights, including the right to the necessary medical care, the lack of which can cause premature death, are being observed.

We draw the attention of the world Christian community to the situation of the Catholic faithful, Pavel Kuchynski, and call for solidarity and prayer.