Former candidate for the presidency of Belarus Viktar Babariko, who is serving a 14-year term, was hospitalized with multiple bodily injuries. This was reported by the Telegram channel of the association of Belarusian workers "Workers' Movement" with reference to several sources.
According to reports, Babariko was taken from IK-1 in Novopolotsk to the Novopolotsk central city hospital on the night of April 25. The oppositionist is in the Department of Surgery, his condition is assessed as moderate. It is also reported that Babariko has pneumothorax (accumulation of air or gases in the pleural cavity, leading to disruption of the lungs).
Rabochy Rukh emphasizes that the oppositionist was beaten so badly that the doctors did not recognize him until they saw his name in the documents.
The former head of Belgazprombank Babariko was sentenced to 14 years in prison in July 2021. He was accused of taking bribes and money laundering. The arrest prevented Babariko from participating in the presidential elections against Alexander Lukashenko.
In November last year, opposition politician Maria Kolesnikova, sentenced in Belarus to 11 years in prison, was taken to intensive care. She was diagnosed with a perforated ulcer.