Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

January 9, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on January 7 and 8.

Arrests and releases

Police arrested several members of the Minsk Telegram chat Chizhovka Sem Chizhej blacklisted as extremist, pro-government sources said.

Authorities released journalist Siarhiej Čyhryn from the detention center in Słonim, Hrodna region, 22 days after his arrest, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported.

Authorities also released Natalla Nikicina and Dzianis Kraučuk after they had served in full their prison sentences on charges widely seen as politically-motivated, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Trials

Authorities fined a woman (name unknown) for painting a white-red-white flag and the Pahonia coat of arms on a wall in her apartment, pro-government Telegram channels said.

Other instances of persecution

Prominent regime critic Maryja Kaleśnikava, currently serving an 11-year prison term, remains at Homiel prison’s medical ward. She was diagnosed with perforated ulcer and peritonitis and had an urgent surgery on November 28.

In 2022, human rights groups declared 889 people political prisoners, while authorities released 253 persons considered as such, Viasna said.

As of January 9, human rights defenders identified at least 1,441 political prisoners.