Update on trials, arrests, pressure on political prisoners

September 11, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on September 10.

Arrests

The police arrested a 33-year-old woman and searched her home on suspicion that she has participated in unsanctioned rallies in 2020. In the video posted by the pro-government sources the woman admitted to “subscribing to prohibited Telegram channels.”

A man arrested in Mahiloŭ also admitted to “subscribing to extremist channels” and posing for a picture with a popular blogger and former presidential hopeful Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, husband of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja.

Andrej Busieł was arrested in Minsk, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Human rights defenders do not know the reasons for his arrest.

Trials

A court in Viciebsk sentenced Catholic priest Andrej Vaščuk to a fine of 320 rubels (about $125) on September 9 under the Administrative Offences Code for propaganda or public demonstration of Nazi symbols. The priest was not present in court as he left Belarus on August 15, after serving 30 days in jail, Viasna said.

Human rights defenders learned that the Minsk City Court considered the appeal of Volha Tomina on August 16. Earlier, she was sentenced to two years in prison on politically-motivated charges for participating in protests. The outcome of the appeal remains unknown, but most likely the verdict was upheld, since Tomina has already been transferred to a women’s correctional facility in Homiel.

Political prisoners under pressure

Dźmitryj Duboŭski, 36, faces new criminal charges. No further details are available. Earlier, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of terrorism, illegal actions with firearms, and illegal cross-border transportation of weapons and military equipment, an opposition Telegram channel reported.

As of late evening on September 10, human rights defenders identified at least 1,330 political prisoners.