Human rights advocates label 72 as political prisoners in October

October 2, BPN. Belarusian human rights defenders declared 72 people political prisoners in October 2022, as compared with 44 one month earlier.

The figure totaled 1,353, the Viasna Human Rights Center said in a monthly report. The group views politically motivated persecution as a crime against humanity.

Public order disturbances, insults against officials and incitement to hatred were the most common charges.

A total of 34 people were convicted in October for having participated in protest rallies back in 2020. They did not cause arson and mayhem or put up armed resistance, Viasna said.