Update on arrests, trials, detention conditions

September 12, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on September 11.

Designer Anatol Łazar was arrested in Minsk and his home was searched, the Belarusian Council for Culture reported. Łazar is held in a pre-trial detention center. His trial will likely take place on September 12. The reasons for his arrest remain unknown.

Artist Andrej Busieł was sentenced in Minsk to 13 days in jail under the Administrative Offences Code, Euroradio reported. No further details of his case are known.

According to friends of opposition activist Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič, charged with terrorism, Prison No. 1 in Hrodna, where he is held, has changed rules for receiving parcels and packages. Aŭtuchovič is not given items similar to those that prisoners can buy on site, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

As of September 12, human rights defenders identified at least 1,329 political prisoners.