At least 55 people convicted on political grounds in December 2022 – rights defenders

January 3, BPN. Authorities convicted at least 43 men and 12 women on politically-motivated charges in December 2022, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Human rights defenders know of one case dropped after a statute of limitation had expired. Authorities also convicted in absentia Alaksandra Hierasimenia and Alaksandr Apiejkin, founders of the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation, they added.

In December, courts sentenced 36 people to a total of 268 years and 3 months in prison; 16, to a total of 39 years of restricted freedom in home confinement and five years in open-type correctional facilities; and one person, to three months of jail.

Sixteen persons were fined a total of 160,000 rubels (over $58,470).

Authorities also sent one imprisoned dissident for compulsory medical treatment.