Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

April 4, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus from April 1 to 3.

Arrested and released

Police arrested Anatol Vajciachovič, entrepreneur and founder of the Baranavičy-based advertising newspaper Shag, for online comments, Naša Niva reported. It remains unclear whether he has been charged.

Police carried out mass raids and arrests in Dziaržynsk, Minsk region, for white-red-white and Ukrainian flags hung out along one of the suburban roads, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Police allegedly found a fake bomb when trying to remove them. Most of the 45 arrested were released but about 10 reportedly remain in custody. Authorities did not disclose charges against them.

Police arrested a resident of Pinsk (last name unknown) for allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka in a Telegram chat and subscribing to opposition channels.

Another man was arrested for writing over 3,000 critical comments in social media and participating in the 2020 protests.

Authorities released librarian Julija Čamłaj after she had served two years in prison for online comments on the 2021 shootout involving an IT engineer and KGB officers, known as the “Zielcer case.”  

Volunteer Illa Mironaŭ was released after spending 15 days in jail for distributing opposition content, the Homiel branch of Viasna said. This was his fourth jail term since he had been released after spending 18 months in prison on charges of discrediting Belarus.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Hrodna sentenced Alaksandr Dziuba to 18 months in prison and a fine of 3,700 rubels (about $1,300)  for social media posts allegedly insulting Łukašenka and public officials, Viasna said. He was also ordered to pay 6,000 rubels (over $2,000) in damages to the alleged victims.

A court in Minsk sentenced Dźmitryj Pankievič to three years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility for comments in the Karateli Belarusi Telegram channel exposing the identities of policemen who mistreated and brutalized peaceful protesters. He was also ordered to pay 22,000 rubels (over $7,680) in damages to the alleged victims.

Authorities also sentenced a student of Minsk State Linguistic University to 18 months of restricted freedom in home confinement for a protest leaflet.

Kindergarten guard Valiancin Dubroŭščyk, 53, went on trial in Hrodna on several politically-motivated charges, including inciting hatred and participating in protests.

Other instances of persecution

Thirty suspects in the criminal case of an attack on Russia’s A-50 military aircraft in the Mačuliščy air base, Minsk region, were charged with an act of terrorism committed by an organized group, ONT reported. They may face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities accused Alaksandr Mancevič, 64, editor in chief of Rehijanalnaja Hazieta in Maƚadziečna, Minsk region, of discrediting Belarus and its authorities, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) said.

The Supreme Court upheld the lengthy prison sentences against leaders of the Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers (REP), Viasna reported. In early January, authorities sentenced its leader Hienadź Fiadynič, 66, and acting chair Vasil Bieraśnieŭ, 73, to nine years in prison each; activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška, 68, to eight years on charges of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions and running an extremist group.

Russian national Sofya Sapega (Safija Sapieha) will be transferred to Russia to serve the rest of her six-year prison sentence following her parents’ request. Authorities persecuted her on charges of inciting hatred and illegal dissemination of personal data.

Authorities placed Jury Hładčuk, editor of the Avtobiznes portal, into Penal Colony No 1 in Navapołack, Viciebsk region, where he is to serve his two-and-a-half prison term over protests and insulting Łukašenka, Viasna reported.

A court in Navapołatsk ruled to transfer Uładzisłaŭ Karecki from a penal colony to prison. The former volunteer of Viktar Babaryka’s presidential campaign is currently serving a five-year prison term on charges of participating in mass riots. 

As of April 4, human rights defenders identified at least 1,473 political prisoners.