Round-up of political persecution for September 4

September 5, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on September 4.

Arrests

Agriculturist Jan Habis was arrested in the Malaryta district, Brest region, for allegedly registering in the opposition Pieramoha Plan and subscribing to Telegram channels deemed extremist, pro-government Telegram channels reported.

Dźmitryj Krycki from Bystryca in the Kobryn district, Brest region, was arrested for participating in the 2020 post-election protests, subscribing to “extremist” Telegram channels, and “insulting comments.”

Detention conditions

Siarhiej Sakaviec, whom human rights groups consider a political prisoner, was transferred to a penal colony in Mahiloŭ. In May, he sentenced to four years in prison for taking part in post-election protests and allegedly slandering Alaksandr Łukašenka. In court, Sakaviec pleaded not guilty and said he had been beaten in custody, the Viasna Human Rights center reported.

Other cases of harassment

The 10-year-old daughter of ceramics artist Natalla Karnejeva is still held in an orphanage. Three people applied for her guardianship, but none of them fully met the required criteria. Karnejeva was arrested on August 19 in connection with the 2020 protests. She is reportedly suspected of gross violations of public order or active participation in them, Viasna reported.

Belarusian human rights defenders identified at least 1,322 political prisoners on September 5.