On anniversary of arrest, Cichanoŭskaja pledges to fight for release of Babaryka, other prisoners

June 18, Pozirk. Belarusians remember Viktar and Eduard Babaryka along with hundreds of other political prisoners, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said five years after the arrest of the former presidential hopeful and his son.

“We talk about them and continue to fight for each and every one,” stressed the politician, whose husband Siarhiej Cichanoŭski has been held behind bars since late May 2020 in a politically-motivated case.

Babaryka, 60, is serving a 14-year prison term after he was arrested on June 18, 2020 as his presidential campaign was gaining momentum. He has been held incommunicado for more than two years. Since February 2023, he communicated with the outside world only once, as earlier this year, a pro-government influencer posted a video with him addressing his family.

His son Eduard managed his father’s presidential campaign in 2020 and was sentenced to eight years in prison on what was widely regarded as trumped-up charges. Later, two more years were added to his term for alleged disobedience.

Authorities also blacklisted Babaryka Jr as an extremist and a terrorist and have been selling off his property at auctions.

Also read: Diaspora rally honors Belarusian political prisoners