Human rights defenders label nine political prisoners

January 26, BPN. Belarusian human rights defenders have labeled nine more people political prisoners, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

They are: Taćciana Kołas, Pavieł Pietručenia, Alaksandr Hrydziuška, Uładzisłaŭ Aŭčyńnikaŭ, Dmitrijs Mihailovs, Viačasłaŭ Biahanski, Illa Kraŭčeŭski, Vital Jenarovič, and Cimafiej Hałubko.

Their charges ranged from incitement to hatred and illegal handling of personal data to threats of violence against police and insults against Alaksandr Łukašenka.

The rights activists demand that the Belarusian authorities should immediately free all political prisoners, reconsider politically motivated sentences and stop the crackdown.

The statement was signed by Viasna, Belarusian PEN, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva and Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House.

A total of 1,444 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.