Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

December 22, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on December 21.

Arrests

Police in Minsk arrested Transglobal’s international transportation manager Siarhiej Mardziłovič, 45, Naša Niva reported. They suspect him of posting 43,000 online comments after the 2020 election, threatening government officials. He also allegedly provided 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. Police opened 58 criminal cases against him.

Trials

A district court in Minsk sentenced political prisoner Arciom Zabielankoŭ, 25, to two years in prison for protesting on October 11, 2020 and the incident with state television employees Ryhor Azaronak and Andrej Ivanienka, who filmed the protest. He was charged with disturbing public order and obstructing journalistic activity, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Other news

Investigators have referred a special procedure case against the Nexta media project founder, Ściapan Puciła, and a member of his team, Jan Rudzik, to the Prosecutor General’s Office. The journalists are suspected of inciting social hatred, organizing mass riots, conspiring to seize power and other crimes, the Investigative Committee said. The case was opened on December 9.

Political prisoner Maryja Kaleśnikava remains in the Homiel penal colony’s medical unit. She is “feeling well,” former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka’s campaign said, quoting the prison authorities. Law enforcers allowed Kaleśnikava “to receive food suitable for a speedy recovery.” But they did not let her lawyer to see her last week.

Viasna reports that blogger Kaciaryna Čareška, who had been arrested in November with her blogger husband Siarhiej, was released. Her procedural status is unknown. Law enforcers placed Siarhiej Čareška in Detention Center No. 1 on Valadarskaha Street in Minsk. The state reportedly brought criminal charges against the spouses over protests.

As of December 21, human rights defenders identified at least 1,435 political prisoners.