Minsk 11:34

Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

January 31, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on January 30.

Several arrested, one released

Police posted two “confession” videos featuring men arrested for online comments, a pro-government source said. Their names are not disclosed. One of them is said to be from Viciebsk.

Minsk police arrested pop singer Alaksandra Zacharyk and searched her home. Authorities accuse her of participating in protests, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Jan Padsadčyk from Minsk is also under arrest, Viasna said. His trial presumably took place on January 30.

Authorities released ex-investigator Alaksandr Antaniuk after he had served his full prison sentence for participating in protests, Viasna said. Human rights groups considered him a political prisoner.

Trials

Authorities fined Aleś Masiuk from Słonim 740 rubels (about $280) and confiscated his smartphone for “liking” social media posts by media outlets deemed extremist in Belarus.

Criminal proceedings

A court sentenced Alaksandr Miłašeŭski to two years in prison for online comments on the 2021 shootout involving an IT engineer and KGB officers, known as the “Zielcer case,” Viasna reported. Human rights groups consider him a political prisoner.

Siarhiej Hrybovič was sentenced to four and a half years in prison and a fine on charges widely seen as politically-motivated. He was arrested for alleged intentions to fight Russia in Ukraine.

Authorities sentenced Juryj Brejva from the Lida district, Hrodna region, to two and a half years in prison for insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka and participating in protests.

Siarhiej Jaraševič, administrator of the Armiya s Narodom (Army with the People) Telegram channel currently serving a five-and-a-half prison term for disobeying the prison authorities, was given nine more months in a high-security prison.

Sairhiej Mucha from Minsk was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom in home confinement for participating in 2020 protests; and prominent lawyer Jaŭhien Papakul, to one year in prison on the same charges. Media did not report Papakul’s arrest earlier.

The Saviecki District Court of Minsk will start hearing a new criminal case against former political prisoner Alaksiej Ščarbaciuk on February 2. He is accused of violating the requirements of preventive police supervision. Human rights defenders note that this is the first case of persecution on such charges.

Doctor Jaŭhien Bužynski went on trial at the Hrodna Regional Court on six criminal charges. Earlier, authorities blacklisted him as a terrorist.

Other instances of persecution

Former opposition activist and blogger Illa Marozaŭ is held at the detention center on Vaładarskaha Street in Minsk, Viasna said. Criminal charges against him remain unclear. He remains in custody since January 9.

Authorities convicted imprisoned journalist Dzianis Ivašyn on two additional charges of treason and illegal collection and distribution of personal data. The verdict dates back to September 2022. Ivašyn is currently serving a 13-year prison term. His persecution is widely seen as politically motivated.

As of January 31, human rights defenders identified at least 1,441 political prisoners.

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