Vasil Staravoitau has died

• 19.02.2013, 13:12

Former political prisoner and legendary ex-head of the collective farm "Rassvet" was 88.

The successful head of a collective farm awarded with many medals and orders encountered problems in the mid 1990s. Staravoitau criticized Alyaksandr Lukashenka and was dismissed and arrested in October 1997.

He was accused of power abuse, economic crimes, bribery and even organization of the murder of head of Mahilyou KGB Mikalutski. Staravoitau spent almost 18 months waiting for his trial in jail. He had two heart attacks, a microstroke and almost lost his eyesight in prison. He was sentenced to two years of imprisonment in a top-security colony in 1999.

Staravoitau continued to be involved in politics after his release and was a member of the political council for the United Civil Party.