Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

December 28, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on December 27.

Arrests

Police arrested Ihar Karolik and forced him to confess to support of “fascist ideology” in front of a camera over his pro-Ukraine position, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Trials

A court in Homiel sentenced Dzianis Dzikun to 23 years, Dźmitryj Ravič to 22 years, and Aleh Małčanaŭ to 21 years in prison on charges of high treason for damaging a railway relay cabinet, Viasna said. The court also ruled to fine them 4,800 rubels (about $1,790) each and confiscate their valuables.

Sabotage on the Belarusian railway started after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 as a form of antiwar protest. The goal was to slow down the transportation of Russian military equipment through Belarus to the warzone.

Authorities postponed the trial of electronic trade union leaders, BPN reported. Judge Anastasija Papko cited new circumstances in the case but has not set a new date yet. The union’s longtime leader Hienadź Fiadynič, acting chair Vasil Bierasnieŭ, and activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška were accused of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions, and creating and running an extremist group.

Juryj Ziankovič went on trial on a new charge of insulting a public official, Viasna said. The Belarusian-born US lawyer is serving an 11-year prison sentence for an alleged plot to seize state power. He had signed a pre-trial agreement with investigators, pleaded guilty and helped investigators gather evidence against other defendants.

Uładzimir Hundar, a disabled man sentenced to 18 years in prison, faces a new trial on charges of insulting the prosecutor, the Brest branch of Viasna said.

The Supreme Court upheld an eight-year prison sentence against former state television journalist Ksienija Łuckina, convicted of plotting to seize power.

Authorities sentenced Rusłan Krasaŭ from Hrodna to three years in prison and Andrej Krasnik, from Lida, Hrodna region, to three and a half years for insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, Viasna reported. Krasnik was also accused of insulting a top military official.

The trial of former MTBank employees Ina Hlinskaja and her daughter Valeryja Hlinskaja opened at the Minsk City Court. Their persecution is related to Chernaya Kniga Belarusi (Eng.: Black Book of Belarus), an online project exposing the identities of security officers who mistreated and brutalized peaceful protesters.

Political prisoners under pressure

Investigative journalist Dzianis Ivašyn threatened to cut his wrists in protest against mistreatment by prison authorities and was transferred to a punishment cell, his wife Volha said.

Prominent opposition politician Mikałaj Statkievič, currently serving 14 years in prison, is in solitary confinement again, his wife Maryna Adamovič said.

Opposition activist Anton Stašeŭski, sentenced to eight years in prison, was placed in a punishment cell for 10 days, MAYDAY TEAM said.

Other instances of persecution

Authorities investigate Russian comedian with Belarusian roots Andrej Skarachod apparently in connection with his jokes about Alaksandr Łukašenka and other officials, pro-government sources said.

Blacklisted content

Authorities blacklisted Carkva-gazeta.by, a Greek Catholic community’s website and its social media as extremist content, BPN reported.

As of December 28, human rights defenders identified at least 1,453 political prisoners.