Human rights activists say arrests, politically motivated trials continue

June 13, BPN. The Viasna Human Rights Center reports that arrests and politically motivated trials continue in Minsk and the regions.

On June 6, a court in Minsk sentenced Ina Dubinina to 1.5 years of restricted freedom without referral to an open-type correctional facility. The court found her guilty of desecration of buildings and damage to property.

On June 9, police in Minsk used force to arrest Dźmitryj Šabietnik, the son of Rečyca (Homiel region) activist Aleh Šabietnik. He is reportedly suspected of fomenting racial, national, religious or other enmity.

On June 10 in Navapolack, Viciebsk region, police arrested history teacher Alena Zubrava over a social media repost. She is expected to stand trial on administrative charges in the near future.

On the same day, the Pružany District Court, Brest region, started hearing a case against 65-year-old activist Alena Hnaŭk. She is accused of slandering Alaksandr Łukašenka and discrediting Belarus in several social media posts.