Anarchist leader put in punishment cell on birthday

August 31, BPN. Anarchist leader Mikałaj Dziadok has been placed in a punishment cell in Hrodna’s Prison No 1, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported on August 31.

Prison guards checked on him as he was having breakfast on his birthday, August 23, to find fault with his outfit and behavior.

Mikałaj (Mikoła) Dziadok was arrested on November 11, 2020 in a house in the Sasnovy settlement by the interior ministry’s organized crime unit GUBOPiK. Human rights activists said he was heavily beaten and pepper sprayed.

Dziadok told the court that after the arrest, police took him to GUBOPiK’s premises in Minsk, where they “beat, used a stun gun and threatened with rape.” They demanded that the activist should give out Telegram channels’ passwords and administrators.

On November 10, 2021 the Minsk City Court sentenced Dziadok to five years in a general regime colony. Judge Anastasija Papko found him guilty of calls for action aimed at harming national security, organization of/active participation in group actions grossly disturbing public order, and illegal handling of combustible assault items. The activist pleaded not guilty.

On June 28, the Horki District Court in the Mahiloŭ region reportedly ruled that Dziadok should be transferred to the prison for two years and 10 months.

Human rights groups say his persecution is politically motivated.