Rights groups brand six as political prisoners

November 1, BPN. Belarusian human rights defenders have declared six people political prisoners.

The Viasna Human Rights Center names them as Julija Jurhilevič, Darja Łosik, Valancin Samasiuk, Jaŭhien Karpaŭ, Maksim Stasiuk and Alaksandr Ajnutdzinaŭ.

Their charges ranged from facilitating extremist activity to planning to participate in combat in a foreign land.

In a joint statement, Viasna, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Lawtrend and Belarusian PEN demanded that these and other regime critics should be immediately freed.

A total of 1,357 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.