Human rights defenders declare 11 political prisoners

December 16, BPN. Human rights defenders have added 11 more people to the political prisoners’ list, taking their total to 1,441, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

New additions include Alisa Ramanava (one year in prison), Alaksiej Michniuk (18 months in prison), Siarhiej Lalin (two years), Vadzim Kalinin (one year), Dźmitryj Varanovič (two and a half years), and Pavieł Šalejnikaŭ (two years of restricted freedom). Authorities persecuted them on charges of insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka and public officials.

Vital Korsak and Viktar Pilžys were given two years in prison each for posting Nazi symbols in red and green colors and a negative comment about policemen, respectively.

Michaił Tarasievič received six years in prison on a number of politically-motivated charges, including insulting public officials and threatening them with violence.

Human rights defenders also added to their list former journalist Łarysa Ščyrakova arrested on charges of allegedly discrediting Belarus and Maksim Darkovič accused of insulting Łukašenka.

The Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Lawtrend, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Belarusian PEN and the Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House aligned themselves with the Viasna’s statement and called for an immediate release of all political prisoners and an end to the political crackdown in Belarus.