Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

March 29, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on March 28.

Arrests

Police arrested Arciom Labiedźka, son of exiled opposition politician Anatol Labiedźka, the politician wrote on Facebook. It is unclear whether he has been charged.

Police also arrested six residents of Kruhłaje, Mahiloŭ region, MAYDAY.TEAM reported. Human rights defenders identified one of the detainees as Alina Horava. They all may be persecuted in connection with 2020 protests.

New criminal cases

Authorities accused Maksim Łapacin and his wife Ludmiła of a terrorist act in connection with the February 26 drone attack on the Russian military aircraft at the Mačuliščy military airfield, Minsk region, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. The couple has two minor children.

Homiel resident Viktar Załatareŭski, 28, was charged with promoting extremism and creating and participating in an extremist group, MAYDAY.TEAM reported. Police arrested him after checking his phone at a Belarusian-Lithuanian border checkpoint.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Brest sentenced Viačasłaŭ Kobryn, 58, to 18 months in prison and a fine of 3,700 rubels (some $1,300) for insulting officials and Alaksandr Łukašenka, the Brest branch of Viasna reported.

A court in Minsk sentenced Daniił Vitunoŭ, 21, to one year in prison over 2020 protests, Viasna said.

Photographer Varvara Miadźviedzieva went on trial in Minsk on charges of participating in protests. Police arrested her in December 2022 together with her husband when they returned to Belarus for medical treatment.

The Minsk City Court started hearing a case against Dzianis Vorazaŭ, Viačasłaŭ Panciušenka, Volha Cierach, Uładzimir Łavor and Kaciaryna Zareckaja. Police arrested the defendants in September 2022 for hanging out Ukrainian and Belarusian national flags in Minsk. Authorities accuse them of involvement in extremist activities. The trial is closed to the public.

Jaŭhien Ficaŭ will go on trial in Minsk on March 30 over 2020 protests.

Anastasija Padhajskaya, 31, will go on trial in Brest on April 4 for sharing information with opposition Telegram channels.

Other instances of persecution

Jailed regime critic Maryja Kaleśnikava was transferred to the colony’s internal prison, Viktar Babaryka’s Telegram channel reported. Last November, she was hospitalized in Homiel in a serious condition with a perforated ulcer. She is currently serving an 11-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

Activist Uładzimir Ipataŭ jumped out of the window at Penal Colony No 14 in Navasady, Minsk region, the Homiel branch of Viasna reported. He was hospitalized with serious injuries. Human rights defenders link his suicide attempt to the harsh conditions in prison.

New political prisoners

Human rights groups declared journalists Pavieł Padabied and Viačasłaŭ Łazaraŭ political prisoners. Both face charges of facilitating extremism.

Authorities released social-democratic activist Piotr Kanstancinaŭ after he had served two years in prison over protests, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party’s press office reported.

As of March 29, human rights defenders identified at least 1,467 political prisoners.