Belarusian rights defenders name seven political prisoners

December 29, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have declared seven more people political prisoners.

The Viasna Human Rights Center said that they are Uładzisłaŭ Vajna, Valancin Fiedarenka, Viktar Viaršyna, Alaksandr Zijazietdzinaŭ, Siarhiej Nikiciuk, Anastasija Pietračenka and Mikałaj Kulašoŭ.

The charges against them ranged from facilitating and funding “extremist activity” to calling for sanctions on Belarus and insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka.

In a joint statement, Viasna, Belarusian PEN, Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva and Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House demanded that all political prisoners be freed and harassment of regime opponents be stopped.

A total of 1,455 political prisoners have been registered in Belarus. The real figure must be even higher because, according to activists, some political detainees cannot contact them, or do not want to for fear of repercussions.