Update on arrests, trials

September 26, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on September 25.

Arrests

Minsk police arrested Alaksandr Biarnacki, a researcher at the Academy of Sciences, on criminal charges, Naša Niva reported.

Dźmitryj Žukoŭski from Słonim, Hrodna region, is under arrest on charges of distributing content deemed extremist and insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, pro-government Telegram channels said.

Police also arrested Illa Salaŭjoŭ, 18, for participation in 2020 protests.

Trials

In early September, police arrested a man at the Minsk region’s health resort for wearing a T-shirt with the Pahonia coat of arms, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. On September 5, a court sentenced him to 15 days in jail for allegedly organizing and holding a rally.

As of September 26, human rights defenders identified at least 1,344 political prisoners in Belarus.