Update on arrests, detention conditions

September 19, BPN. Human rights groups documented new cases of politically-motivated persecution in Belarus on September 18.

Arrests

Police in Hrodna arrested opposition activist Jaŭhien Juncevič on criminal charges, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Pro-governmental Telegram channels said he was distributing “extremist” content.

Detention conditions

Authorities released Ema Sciepulonak, 68, from the detention center in Miory, Viciebsk region, and placed her under house arrest, DissidentBy reported. She faces charges of insulting a public official and inciting hatred in connection with online comments on the 2021 shootout involving an IT engineer and KGB officers, known as the “Zielcer case.”

Prison authorities have transferred rock musician Uładzisłaŭ Pluščhaŭ, sentenced in August to two years on charges of insulting a public official and slander, to the Žodzina prison, Minsk region. He is to stand trial on a new charge, the Belarusian Council for Culture said. Human rights groups consider him a political prisoner.

As of September 19, human rights defenders identified at least 1,335 political prisoners.