Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

January 10, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on January 9.

Arrests

Police arrested history students Alaksiej Ramanovič and Andrej Januk last week, pro-government sources said. Ramanovič was accused of “calling for riots and using Molotov cocktails” in 2020 when he was 16. A source with links to police said that he “will be fined and go free because he repented.” Charges against Januk remain unclear, Naša Niva said.

Police arrested former opposition activist and blogger Illa Marozaŭ for participating in 2020 protests and writing 3,000 comments deemed extremist, a Telegram channel linked to police said.

Police arrested Siarhiej Patupčyk, a senior manager at Belarusnafta and a son of a former energy minister, presumably over a social media post in support of Ukraine, Naša Niva reported.

Criminal charges

Investigators brought four charges against Pavieł Biełavus, the founder and owner of the Symbal.by store selling national-themed goods, including high treason, organizing protests, calls to harm national security and leading an extremist group.

Criminal proceedings

Tut.by editor in chief Maryna Zołatava and CEO Ludmila Čekina went on trial at the Minsk City Court, BPN reported. Three other defendants, including editor Volha Łojka, journalist Alena Tałkačova and lawyer Kaciaryna Tkačenka, left Belarus and are now wanted. Authorities accuse Čekina, Zołatava, Łojka and Tałkačova of tax evasion, inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. Tkačenka is charged with participation in protests.

Authorities sentenced Vital Mielnik to 13 years in a high-security prison for an alleged act of sabotage carried out in protest against Russia’s assault on Ukraine, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Earlier reports said he was punished with 16 years.

As of January 10, human rights defenders identified at least 1,441 political prisoners.