Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

December 29, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on December 28.

One arrested, two released

Police arrested a renowned teacher, co-founder of the 100 Ballov education center Jaŭhien Liviant over his alleged participation in 2020 protests, BPN reported.

Authorities released kickboxer Alaksiej Kudzin after he had served his two-and-a-half-year prison term for resisting police, journalist Ihar Pałynski tweeted.

Authorities also released Dzianis Haponenka after he had served his one-year prison sentence for participation in protests, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Minsk sentenced Ksienija Kotava to two years of restricted freedom in home confinement on charges of participation in protests, Viasna reported.

The Homiel Regional Court ruled to hold the trial of Rabočy Ruch (Labor Movement) activists behind closed doors, Viasna said. Ten defendants went on trial on November 9 on charges of slander, high treason, creating an extremist group and illegal actions with firearms. All pleaded not guilty.

Jailed reporter Andrzej Poczobut (Andrej Pačobut) will go on trial at the Hrodna Regional Court on January 9, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said. Authorities arrested Poczobut in 2021 on charges of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions against Belarus.

Trials

The Tor Band musicians Jaŭhien Burło and Dźmitryj Hałavač were jailed for 15 days for the fifth time in a row. Authorities reportedly plan to punish them “for every song,” the Telegram channel Belarus za MKADom reported.

Other instances of persecution

Vlogger Uładzimir Cyhanovič was transferred to prison to serve the next three years of his 15-year sentence, Viasna said. A member of Siarhiej Cichanoŭski campaign team, he was convicted of inciting hatred and mass disorder. Human rights groups consider him a political prisoner.

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of political prisoner Andrej Sačeŭka, sentenced to six years in prison for online comments, MAYDAY.TEAM reported. He has a mental illness.

Authorities placed Alaksandr Patapaŭ, 68, in Penal Colony No 15 in Mahiloŭ. He is currently serving a two-year prison term on charges of insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, Viasna said.

Viasna human rights defenders have contacted the UN special rapporteurs to express concern about the deteriorating health of Sviatasłaŭ Lepiešaŭ, sentenced to four years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility for allegedly inciting hatred and making threats to kill someone or destroy someone’s property. He may lose his vision if not treated properly.

Content branded extremist

A court in Mahiloŭ blacklisted Instagram page 2023.calendar, Viasna said.

As of December 29, human rights defenders identified at least 1,449 political prisoners.