Political persecution round-up for August 28

August 29, BPN. Human rights groups reported new politically-motivated arrests and trials across Belarus on August 28. 

Rocker arrested in Navapolack, activist released after serving sentence 

Police arrested Zachar Sabin from the Navapołack rock band Detroit Hills for allegedly reposting “extremist” content, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Andrej Karalenia, an activist whom human rights groups declared a political prisoner, was released from prison after serving a two-year term for alleged resistance to a police officer.

Criminal persecution

The Committee for the State Security (KGB) completed an investigation into a civil self-defense unit blacklisted as a terrorist organization and forwarded the case files to the prosecutor’s office. Natalla Maćviejeva, Vadzim Hulevič, Kirył Ašurak, Alaksiej Hlotaŭ, and Dźmitryj Sasnoŭski are accused of participating in a terrorist organization, terrorist acts, illegal actions in relation to combustible substances, firearms and explosives, inciting hatred, and calling to actions harming the national security.

Alaksandr Dzemidovič, commercial director of Minsk’s cinema chain Silver Screen, was sentenced to two and a half years of restricted freedom without referral to a correctional facility for gross violations of public order. This type of sentence implies that people are confined to their residence during non-working hours and are required to retain or seek employment. Police can visit them anytime to make sure they comply with the terms of confinement.       

A court in Homiel sentenced local resident Illa Holcaŭ to 18 months in prison on charges of inciting hatred.

New additions to list of extremists 

On August 26, the interior ministry added five names to its list of people “involved in extremist activities.” The new entries include Aksana Kaspiarovič, a music school teacher from Lida convicted of inciting hatred; Pavieł Miakiš from Hrodna, convicted of inciting hatred, complicity in a crime, and unlawful acts in relation to private life; Vadzim Kavaloŭ from Viciebsk, convicted of abusing state symbols; Hanna Volskaja from Mahiloŭ convicted of insulting a public official; and Valeryj Klimienčanka from Maładzečna, convicted of inciting hatred.

Detention conditions

Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, husband of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, sentenced to 18 years in prison, was placed in a punishment cell after his transfer to the Žodzina prison.

As of August 29, human rights defenders registered at least 1,308 people as political prisoners in Belarus.