Update on trials, politically-motivated persecution

February 22, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on February 21.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Hrodna sentenced Andrej Bykaŭ, 51, to five years in prison on six criminal charges for online comments, a Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated persecution in Hrodna and the Hrodna region said. Authorities also fined Bykaŭ 1,850 rubels (over $660) and stripped him of his military rank of lieutenant colonel in the reserve.

Authorities sentenced Jaŭhien Miroś, 31, to two years in prison, and Leanid Ułasiuk, 61, to one year in prison, for online comments allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Leon Sałdacienka, a minor from Žłobin, Homiel region, was given 18 months of restricted freedom in home confinement over 2020 protests.

A court in Minsk sentenced Juryj Dzikovič to three years of restricted freedom in home confinement, Dźmitryj Plešavienia and Siarhiej Laŭko, to two and a half years each; Ludmiła Cybulskaja, to two years and three months. All four are from Pastavy, Viciebsk region, and were accused of participating in protests.

A court in Hrodna started hearing the case against Pavieł Abozny, the European Muay Thai champion for alleged intentions to go fight Russia in Ukraine, a Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated persecution in Hrodna and the Hrodna region said. Authorities accuse the athlete of smuggling prohibited substances across the border and participating in an armed conflict abroad.

The Hrodna Regional Court closed to the public the trial against former policeman Andrej Šklar. He is charged with high treason and disclosing investigation data.

Other instances of persecution

The Supreme Court will hear the appeal of Dźmitryj Łukša, a former anchor at the Belarus 1 TV channel, and four other defendants in his case on February 24, BPN reported. In December 2022, authorities sentenced Łukša to four years in prison; his wife Palina Pałavinka, to two and a half years; Dzianis Jaroŭski, to 18 months; Kanstancin Nikanoraŭ, to three years of restricted freedom in home confinement. Another defendant in the case, Anastasia Jaroŭskaja did not attend the trial and is currently on the wanted list. Human rights groups consider Łukša, his wife and Jaroŭski political prisoners.

The Minsk City Court will hear journalist Juryj Hładčuk’s appeal on February 28, Novy Čas reported. Authorities sentenced him to two and a half years in prison over protests and insulting Łukašenka. He has been on trial since December 2022, but his verdict became known only on February 20.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič and other convicts in his criminal case, including activist Uładzimir Hundar, on March 31, BPN reported. In October 2022, authorities sentenced 12 defendants in the “Aŭtuchovič case” to lengthy prison terms.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said it referred to court a case against Kanstancin Załatych, director of the business monthly Belorusy i Rynok. Authorities accuse him of inciting hatred, abusing power and insulting Łukašenka and public officials in 2020.

Released

Authorities released Andrej Aniskievič after he had served 18 months of restricted freedom at an open-type correctional facility over 2020 protests in Brest, Viasna said.

As of February 22, human rights defenders identified at least 1,439 political prisoners.