Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

November 13, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on November 12.

Arrests

Photographer Andrej Sałaŭ is under arrest, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. He shot music videos for the Tor Band and was arrested together with the musicians in Rahačoŭ, Homiel region, on October 28.

Authorities have not released human rights defender Anastasija Łojka after her 15-day jail term expired on November 12, Human Constanta reported. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

Trials

A judge sentenced Orthodox church researcher Aleh Nahorny to 15 days in jail on charges of propaganda and distribution of Nazi symbols, Chryścijanskaja Vizija reported.

Criminal proceedings

A district court in the Minsk region sentenced Alaksandr Samal from Maładziečna to 18 months of restricted freedom in home confinement for online comments about a high-ranking police official, Viasna said.

Political prisoners

Belarusian human rights groups have declared Pavieł Linkievič, Michaił Zubkoŭ, Zachar Tarazievič, and Anton Łysaŭ political prisoners, Viasna reported.

Siarhiej Sacuk, editor in chief of Yezhednevnik, was transferred from a detention center to a Mahiloŭ prison before the hearing of his appeal, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported. In late October, a court sentenced the journalist to eight years in prison on charges of inciting hatred, abusing his power, and taking bribes.

Investigative journalist Dzianis Ivašyn, currently serving a lengthy prison term, might be kept in a punishment cell despite the expiration of his previous seven-day term penalty for breaking prison rules, Viasna said.

Viačasłaŭ Smirnoŭ, currently serving a two-year restricted freedom sentence for insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, was jailed for 15 days for having Telegram messaging app on his phone.

As of November 13, human rights defenders identified at least 1,425 political prisoners.