Update on arrests, trials, detention conditions

September 22, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on September 21.

New arrests, prominent journalist pardoned

Human rights activist Anastasija Lojka has not been released after serving a 15-day jail term, Human Constanta reported. She might face new charges.

Minsk police arrested Dźmitryj Aharodnikaŭ, an employee with A1 mobile operator. Pro-government Telegram channels posted a video of his interrogation, which shows him wearing an EU flag wrapped around his head.

Authorities released RFE/RL journalist Aleh Hruździłovič, 63, who left Belarus immediately. He told his colleagues that he was pardoned, despite pleading not guilty.

Halina Michalčuk, 70, who was serving two and a half years in prison for online comments, was released before her term was over, dissidentby reported.

Homeless man Alaksandr Kutas, whom human rights groups declared a political prisoner, was released after serving his one-year prison term for participating in protests, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Criminal proceedings

The Minsk City Court sentenced student Maciej Hrynkievič, 21, to two years and two months in prison for participating in protests, Viasna said. Earlier, authorities added his name to the list of persons involved in “terrorist” activities.

A court in Minsk sentenced Julija Makaś in late June to three years of restricted freedom without referral to an open-type correctional facility for participation in protests, according to Viasna. This type of sentence implies that people are confined to their residence during non-working hours and are required to retain or seek employment. Police can visit them anytime to make sure they comply with the terms of confinement. 

Courts in the Mahiloŭ region sentenced Jaŭhien Karpaŭ and Pavieł Biełahaloŭ to two and a half years in prison each for intentions to fight Russia in Ukraine and online comments, respectively, MAYDAY.TEAM and Viasna reported.

Detention conditions

Authorities transferred Maksim Šatochin, 18, from prison to home confinement to serve his three-year term given in August 2021 for participation in protests, Viasna reported.

Other instances of persecution

Volha Majorava, Uładzimir Hundar, and Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič are held in punishment cells. All three are defendants in the high-profile case involving outspoken critics of the Alaksandr Łukašenka regime, known as the Aŭtuchovič case.

As of September 22, human rights defenders identified at least 1,341 political prisoners.