Vasily Veremeychik likely had a heart attack
Yauheniya, the wife of former volunteer Vasily Veremeychik, told Nasha Niva about his serious health condition. Due to severe heart problems, the political prisoner has already been added to humanitarian lists.
Vasily's problems began while he was still in the pre-trial detention center (SIZO). At that time, Veremeychik complained of symptoms indicating heart problems: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, swelling of hands and feet. He was not provided with medical assistance in the SIZO.
In 2025, Veremeychik was sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony and sent to serve his term in Shklov Colony No. 17. There, Vasily finally underwent an examination—blood tests were taken, and an ultrasound of his heart was performed. The exact results are unknown to the family, but after that examination, Veremeychik was prescribed intravenous drips and as many as four strong medications: Aspicard, Clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, and Metoprolol.
Yauheniya shared the conclusion of an independent doctor based on information about Vasily's condition:
"There are signs of a serious cardiovascular disease, likely of ischemic nature, with a high risk of thrombotic complications. The prescribed therapy (antiplatelets, beta-blockers, statins) is typical for patients after myocardial infarction or with a high risk of its development. The condition requires constant medical supervision and may worsen in conditions of isolation."
The situation is complicated by Veremeychik's hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases. His close relatives have had cases of heart attacks and serious surgeries.
Another sign of Vasily's condition, according to his relatives, is that Veremeychik was not sent to the punitive isolation ward (SHIZO) for a long time in the colony, although political prisoners with less serious charges often end up there. The colony administration clarified that Vasily avoided SHIZO due to his heart problems.
In the spring of 2026, everything changed—Veremeychik's relatives see from communication restrictions and other signs that the political prisoner has been sent to SHIZO several times. He was also deprived of phone calls, food, and medical parcels.
According to Yauheniya, in early June, Vasily was supposed to be transferred to the hospital at Minsk SIZO-1 for heart surgery. Instead, the political prisoner was thrown into SHIZO, and then into PKT (cell-type premises).
There, Vasily will be even more isolated from medical care, including emergency care. The harsh conditions in PKT—the same as SHIZO, but with minor relaxations—are dangerous because his heart, which is already working at its limit, will be under even greater risk.
According to Yauheniya, Vasily Veremeychik has been added to the humanitarian list of political prisoners with serious health problems who require the quickest possible release.