Rights groups label 10 as political prisoners, bringing total to new record

March 30, BPN. The Belarusian human rights community has labeled 10 more people as political prisoners, the Viasna center reports.

They are: Arciom Babkoŭ, Alaksandra Kasko, Valeryj Cimašenka, Jarasłaŭ Kazakievič, Dźmitryj Kačanoŭski, Ksienija Alkienava, Juryj Adamaŭ, Mikałaj Vasilevič, Dźmitryj Słuk, and Viktar Załatareŭski

They were locked up for interviews with banned media, sharing information about Russian troops with opposition Telegram channels, financing activities deemed by authorities terrorist and extremist, or taking part in such activities.

Human rights activists issued a joint statement demanding the immediate release of all political prisoners and those arrested for peaceful protests in the post-election period, and an end to political reprisals against citizens.

Besides Viasna, the statement was signed by Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Lawtrend, Belarusian PEN, Belarusian Association of Journalists, Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House.

A total of 1,476 political prisoners have been registered in Belarus. The number stands at a record high, but 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.