Police arrest imprisoned human rights defender’s husband

December 23, BPN. Police arrested Vadzim Žaromski, the husband of prominent Belarusian human rights defender Marfa Rabkova, on December 22, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

The reasons remain unknown.

In early September, the Minsk City Court sentenced Viasna’s coordinator Rabkova, 27, to 15 years in prison and a fine of 22,400 rubels (over $8,180). Authorities accused her of forming an extremist group, organizing riots, and inciting hatred. Human rights groups said her persecution was politically motivated.

Rabkova, in custody since September 2020, was given the longest sentence in the history of Belarus among women and human rights defenders convicted in politically-motivated cases. Her health has deteriorated seriously behind bars.