Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

October 31, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on October 30.

Several arrested, one released

Police arrested Mahiloŭ resident Jaŭhien Alchovik for liking social media posts condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine, pro-government sources reported.

Police also arrested Vital Markušeŭski, David Šarakaŭ, Dźmitryj Hurejeŭ and Arciom Lašnieŭski, who are currently serving politically-motivated restricted freedom terms at open-type correctional facilities, after having checked the content of their phones.

Authorities released Sviatłana Saŭčanka after she had served one year in prison on charges of “hooliganism” for tearing down a car flagpole at a pro-government car rally back in September 2020, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Criminal proceedings

Former investigator Jaŭhien Juškievič will go on trial at the Minsk City Court on November 15. Authorities dropped the initial charge of terrorism, but accuse him of participating in protests, threatening policemen with violence, inciting hatred, insulting public officials and Alaksandr Łukašenka.

Content blacklisted as “extremist”

Belarusian courts blacklisted as “extremist” a number of protest social media pages and Telegram channels in Minsk, Hrodna, and Słuck.

As of October 31, human rights defenders identified at least 1,333 political prisoners.