Round-up of political persecution for August 27

August 28, BPN. New politically-motivated arrests were reported on August 27 in Belarus.

Michaił Jurynk, 20, a soccer fan from Minsk, was arrested for a tattoo with an anti-police slogan deemed “extremist,” the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. 

In Brest, the police arrested a man for allegedly threatening police officers and their families before the 2020 presidential election. Pro-government Telegram channels posted a video where he admits to participating in protests and leaving negative comments about a policeman online. He faces criminal charges of insulting a public official and inciting hatred.

Release

A Minsk resident Alaksandr Zacharevič, 31, whom human rights groups declared a political prisoner, has served his full sentence of two years in prison and was released. He was arrested in November 2020 at a protest rally and charged with violence against a police officer for stepping on the foot of a traffic policeman.

“Extremist” group status 

On August 11, the Committee for the State Security (KGB) declared ZOLAK Telegram chat and channel with 458 subscribers an “extremist” group. The chat no longer exists. 

As of August 27, a total of 1,309 people were imprisoned on politically-motivated charges in Belarus. political persecution for August 27

August 28, BPN. New politically-motivated arrests were reported on August 27 in Belarus.

Michaił Jurynk, 20, a soccer fan from Minsk, was arrested for a tattoo with an anti-police slogan deemed “extremist,” the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. 

In Brest, the police arrested a man for allegedly threatening police officers and their families before the 2020 presidential election. Pro-government Telegram channels posted a video where he admits to participating in protests and leaving negative comments about a policeman online. He faces criminal charges of insulting a public official and inciting hatred.

Release

A Minsk resident Alaksandr Zacharevič, 31, whom human rights groups declared a political prisoner, has served his full sentence of two years in prison and was released. He was arrested in November 2020 at a protest rally and charged with violence against a police officer for stepping on the foot of a traffic policeman.

“Extremist” group status 

On August 11, the Committee for the State Security (KGB) declared ZOLAK Telegram chat and channel with 458 subscribers an “extremist” group. The chat no longer exists. 

As of August 27, a total of 1,309 people were imprisoned on politically-motivated charges in Belarus.