Belarusian PEN: 137 Belarusian artists behind bars

April 3, BPN. Authorities continue criminal persecution of artists, writers and performers on politically-motivated charges with a total of 137 artists imprisoned as of March 31, says a recent report by Belarusian PEN.

The report mentions the closed trial of Pavieł Biełavus, founder of the Symbal.by store, the 10-year prison sentence to researchers Valeryja Kaściuhova and Taćciana Kuzina and the persecution of Litesound band members and their parents.

Belarusian PEN also noted the appeal by prosecutor Alaksandr Karol requesting longer prison terms for jailed Viasna Human Rights Center’s leaders. The hearing is scheduled for April 21 at the Minsk City Court.

Politically-motivated persecution of artists continued in the second half of March, with raids and arrests of 11 museum workers in Połack, Viciebsk region, the report stressed. It also noted the persecution of people for Belarusian and Ukrainian national symbols and ongoing reprisals against publishers.

In 2022, Belarusian PEN recorded at least 1,390 cases of human rights abuse in culture with 108 artists declared political prisoners.