Update on politically-motivated persecution

November 21, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on November 19 and 20.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Minsk sentenced Vital Maciuš and his wife Natalla Hanapolskaja to three years of restricted freedom without referral to an open-type correctional facility for participating in the 2020 protests, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

This type of sentence implies that people are confined to their residence during non-working hours and are required to retain or seek employment. Police can visit them anytime to make sure they comply with the terms of confinement.

The Frunzenski District Court of Minsk will start hearing a case against former Minsk Tractor Plant employee Sviatłana Sakovič on November 24. Authorities accuse her of participating in 2020 protests.

Authorities charged Andrej Kułakoŭ with participating in protests, the Viciebsk branch of Viasna reported. He is known for driving a white-red-white minivan during the 2020 protests. Kułakoŭ is currently living abroad.

23 added to political prisoners list

Human rights activists declared 23 more people political prisoners, including Daniił Ramanaŭ, Maryna Sačyŭka, Artur Sciopa, Andrej Žamejka, Valeryj Adaleŭski, Viktar Kuleš, Mikałaj Łasicki, Maksim Pikun, Michaił Baškataŭ, Ivan Kiryk, Aleh Pasiuk, Vital Astrejka, Kiryl Žałudok, Arthur Čarniaŭski, Andrej Dubroŭski, Dzianis Vałčok, Natalla Lacko, Vital Ułasievič, Andrej Chanievič, Volha Ramancova, Kaciaryna Hulchačyjeva, Kanstancin Nikanoraŭ, and Mikałaj Kacura.

As of November 21, human rights defenders identified at least 1,451 political prisoners.