Rights defenders brand four as political prisoners

September 23, BPN. Human rights organizations have recognized four more people as political prisoners.

Pavieł Piskun, Dzianis Sasunkievič, Anton Maluha and Andrej Masłaŭ were sentenced for illegally gathering state secrets or preparing to participate in a foreign military conflict.

The statement declaring them political prisoners contains a demand to the authorities that all those having this status be released and that the crackdown be stopped. It was signed by the Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarusian PEN, Belarusian Association of Journalists, Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House and Human Constanta.

A total of 1,346 political prisoners have been registered in Belarus. The number stands at a record high, but the real figure must be even higher because, according to activists, some political detainees cannot contact them, or do not want to for fear of repercussions.