28/04/2023 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson of the European External Action Service expressed, on Thursday 27 April, the EU’s concern about the state of health of Viktar Babaryka, a former potential presidential candidate in Belarus, who was detained and hospitalised with signs of beatings. “We urge the authorities to ensure his safety and provide him with immediate and proper medical evaluation and assistance, and to allow him access to his lawyers and family”, the spokesperson urged in a statement, also calling for Mr Babaryka’s immediate and unconditional release. According to the spokesperson, there are more than 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus and the number is still growing. The spokesperson recalled that several political prisoners had recently been admitted to hospital after being reportedly exposed to violence in prison. (CG)