Court rules human rights defender Łojka to stay in jail

December 14, BPN. A court in Minsk has sentenced human rights defender Anastasija Łojka to another 15 days in jail, convicting her of petty hooliganism, Human Constanta reports.

On December 13, Łojka was left in jail after her third consecutive 15-day term expired.

Police arrested Łojka on October 28 and locked her up on charges of petty hooliganism. Pro-government media posted a video of her saying that she received money from “foreign organizations.”

In court, Łojka said that police officers hit her with a stun gun and left her outside without outerwear for eight hours, after which she fell ill.

She remained in custody without medicines and hygiene items because the detention center administration refused to accept parcels for detainees.

Łojka, a team member of outlawed Human Constanta, monitored changes in legislation and defended the rights of foreigners and stateless people in Belarus.

Human Constanta urged international organizations to publicly state their position on Łojka’s arrest and persecution of Belarusian human rights defenders and use all available international mechanisms to stop politically-motivated persecution in Belarus.