At least 98 people convicted in politically-motivated criminal cases in August
September 2, BPN. At least 98 people, over 80 percent of whom are male, were convicted in politically motivated criminal cases in August, 12 more than in July, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
Of these, more than a half were convicted of defamation. The human rights groups keep calling for decriminalization of defamation offenses. Twenty seven percent were convicted on charges of group actions that grossly violate public order in connection with anti-government protests.
All politically motivated verdicts passed in August involved imprisonment (64 percent) or restricted freedom sentences with referral to an open-type correctional facility (11 percent) or without it (25 percent).
In August, courts imprisoned 63 people for a total of 223 years and 10 months. Eleven people were sentenced to a total of 29 years of restricted freedom with referral to an open-type correctional facility, while 24 people got 62 years of restricted freedom to be served at home. This type of sentence also implies that they are required to retain or seek employment while police can visit them anytime to make sure they comply with the terms of confinement.
As an additional punishment, 11 people were fined a total of 89,600 rubles (over $35,000).
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja asks Canada to back ICC probe into Łukašenka and his officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician urges Magyar to restore Hungary’s ICC membershipThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuania intercepts two rafts with smuggled Belarusian cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: two women convicted of extremismThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyProduction of animal feeds, supplements to be limited to authorized companiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja to address Canadian MPsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical activist Biełavus transferred to Mahiloŭ prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsForeign minister to open consulate in AstanaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Security, SocietyIAEA to inspect nuclear facility near MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus’ police make threats of expulsion against dissidentsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Sport
- PoliticsKGB brands education initiative as extremist groupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka notes “traditions of beneficial cooperation” after Magyar wins Hungary’s electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLatvia reports surge in irregular crossings via Belarus since April 2The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsOpposition leader stands with Poland on Katyn Remembrance DayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus posts 2 percent in industrial price growth in January-MarchThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEDB sees inflation slowdown in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+


