Woman prosecuted for social media like dies shortly after release

May 14, Pozirk. Tamara Karavaj, given two years in prison for liking a post critical of Alaksandar Łukašenka, died aged 45 of alleged heart failure shortly after her release from prison, Naša Niva reported, citing the woman’s acquaintance.
The date of her death is unknown.
In March 2023, Karavaj was given two years in prison for reacting to a post critical of Alaksandar Łukašenka on Odnoklassniki. The woman was released in August under a pardon program, shortly before the completion of her sentence.
A similar case was reported just two days ago: Hanna Kandracienka, released in July 2024 after serving a prison term in a politically-motivated case, died of cancer in early February.
At least seven people, whom Belarusian human rights groups considered political prisoners, died in Belarusian prisons between 2022 and 2024.
More than 8,200 people have been prosecuted on political grounds since 2020, with 6,940 convicted and at least 33 sent for compulsory treatment, the Viasna Human Rights Center said earlier this month.
This spring, rights groups identified at least 219 people convicted in politically-motivated cases as being in a high-risk group. About 80 of them suffer from serious illnesses, eight have disabilities, 10 have mental disorders and 32 are over 60 years old.

Reprisals: ex-political prisoner dies of cancer few months after release
- PoliticsEU leaders welcome pardon of 14 prisoners, urge release of allThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka’s spokeswoman: release of Cichanoŭski – act of humanismThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUS diplomat on Minsk visit: President Trump encouraged this tripThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian ambassador presents credentials to Leo XIVThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: police raids target Novaja Biełaruś application’s usersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBiełavija resists sanctions, plans new long-haul routeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja thanks Spain for prisoner aidThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian woman detained in Poland for transporting undocumented migrantsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Security
- Politics, SecurityDefense minister voices concern about armed conflicts in Ukraine, Middle EastThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsLatvia bars eight luxury bikes from entering BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyProminent businessman Atroščanka dies of cancerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka meets with Russia’s chief investigatorThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands 27 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy, SocietyOfficial says government controls, competition with Russia prevent price hikesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: Belarusian companies’ CapEx up 36.4 percent in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+