Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

November 12, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on November 11.

Several arrested, one released

Police arrested four workers of a Minsk car service station on charges of “extremism,” pro-government Telegram channels reported. Back in 2020, the station repaired the cars of people persecuted by the authorities on politically-motivated grounds.

Police also arrested Raman Baranoŭski after a search at his home, MAYDAY.TEAM reported. He returned to Belarus in October after spending two years abroad. Baranoŭski might be accused of passing information to Chernaya Kniga Belarusi (Eng.: Black Book of Belarus), an online project exposing the identities of security officers who mistreated and brutalized peaceful protesters.

Siarhiej Rudziankoŭ is under arrest for subscribing to opposition Telegram channels, pro-government sources said.

Ivan Rahatnioŭ is free after serving a 19-month prison sentence for online comments, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Minsk sentenced Vadzim Vasiljeŭ to 12 years in prison and a fine of 19,200 rubels (over $7,800) for administering opposition Telegram chats.

The Minsk City Court sentenced Anastasija Kuchta to five years in prison on charges of participating in protests, calling for sanctions, and creating and running an extremist group.

A court in Minsk sentenced journalist and tour guide Ihar Chmara to two and a half years of restricted freedom in home confinement for protests.

Protestant pastor and trade unionist Vital Čyčmaroŭ, whom human rights groups consider a political prisoner, received a three-year restricted freedom sentence without referral to a correctional facility on similar charges.

The Minsk City Court sentenced Maryna Dubroŭskaja to 18 months in prison for protests and Anton Stašeŭski, to eight years on charges of plotting to seize power. Both were volunteers at former presidential hopeful Siarhiej Cichanoŭski’s Strana Dlia Zhizni (Country for Life) Foundation.

Authorities reclassified charges against Dźmitryj Sasnoŭski, currently on trial for an alleged attempt to assassinate state TV presenter Ryhor Azaronak, Viasna reported. He is now accused of terrorism, while the trial was adjourned until November 22.

Trials

Authorities jailed trade union activist Volha Brycikava for 15 days for an antiwar picture that she posted on Facebook. She has spent a total of 75 days under arrest in 2022 and is on hunger strike since November 8, protesting violations of her rights in custody.

Trade unionist Hienadz Bierdzieneŭ was jailed for 30 days for an unauthorized picket and the distribution of opposition content.

Other instances of persecution

An economic court in Hrodna started hearing a lawsuit to liquidate a private taxi company owned by Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič sentenced in October to 25 years in prison on charges widely seen as politically-motivated.

Content blacklisted as “extremist”

Authorities blacklisted as “extremist” a number of opposition Telegram channels in Lida and Homiel, the Media-Polesye Instagram page, Siarhiej Biaspałaŭ’s Telegram and YouTube channels as well as Deadfall TV and SapraudnyBelarus channels on YouTube, BPN reported.

As of November 12, human rights defenders identified at least 1,425 political prisoners.