Update on trials and politically-motivated persecution

December 26, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on December 24 and 25.

New criminal cases

Authorities charged human rights defender Anastasija Łojka with two criminal offenses and transferred her to Detention Center No 1 on Valadarskaha Street in Minsk, Human Constanta reported. One of the charges is linked to her alleged participation in protests, while the second remains unknown.

Authorities also opened a criminal case against a 68-year-old Brest resident for opposition graffiti at bus stops, pro-government Telegram channels said.

Criminal proceedings

The Minsk City Court will announce a verdict in a case against the leaders of the outlawed Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers (REP) on December 27, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Authorities accuse its longtime leader Hienadź Fiadynič, acting chair Vasil Bierasnieŭ, and activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions, and creating and running an extremist group.

A court in the Viciebsk region stopped criminal proceedings against Vital Kuleša charged with insulting a policeman due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, Viasna said.

Minsk student Mikita Malar was sentenced to two years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility for tearing down the state flag from a store.

The Mahiloŭ Regional Court sentenced Taćciana Karpovič to five years in prison. Human rights groups consider her a political prisoner.

Extremist list updates

The interior ministry added 53 more people to the list of “persons involved in extremist activities,” taking the total to 2,234 as of December 23, BPN reported.

Release

Authorities released political prisoners Daniił Hančaroŭ and Jarasłaŭ Paškoŭ after they had served their prison sentences in full.

As of December 26, human rights defenders identified at least 1,441 political prisoners.