Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

April 7, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on April 6.

Arrested and released

Minsk police arrested Alaksiej Sałalenka, financial director at the Luch Watch Factory, for sharing opposition content on social media, donating to the opposition initiatives, and participating in 2020 protests, Naša Niva reported.

Andrej Raŭčakoŭ was arrested in Lida, Hrodna region, for allegedly sharing opposition content, a Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated persecution in Lida reported.

Arciom Ramanaŭ, frontman of the Krumkač rock band, is under arrest in Homiel on charges of a minor offense, volunteer Illa Mironaŭ reported.

Police also arrested a resident of Homiel for a car sticker depicting rock musician Viktor Tsoi and a quote from his song which became popular during the 2020 protests, Belsat reported. He may be accused of violating the order of holding mass events.

Authorities released Alena Kaścievič and her son Alaksandr, owners of the apartment in Hrodna that was rented by an alleged “terrorist” reportedly shot by the Committee for State Security (KGB) agents on March 19, Pravo Imeyut Telegram channel reported. It remains unclear whether authorities dropped the charges of preparing a terrorist act.

Authorities also released hockey fans from Hrodna, including their leader Siarhiej Jemialjanaŭ, MOST Media reported. They have not been charged with anything and the reasons for the arrest are unknown as the fans were forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Trials

A court in the Mahiloŭ region sentenced a resident of Horki to three days in jail and a fine of 740 rubels (over $250) for calling the police station while being drunk and insulting a police officer and Alaksandr Łukašenka, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

New criminal cases

Homiel authorities filed criminal charges against the head of one of the city pharmacies (last name not disclosed) for sharing information with an opposition Telegram channel.

Criminal proceedings

A court in Hrodna sentenced former police officer Valeryj Trocki to 12 years in prison on charges of high treason, a Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated persecution in Lida reported. No further details are available as the trial was held behind closed doors. Trocki has been in custody since May 2022.

The Minsk City Court sentenced Kanstancin Załatych, Mediarynok CEO and director of the business monthly Belorusy i Rynok, to four years in prison, Euroradio reported. Prosecutors accused him of inciting hatred, abusing power, and insulting public officials and Łukašenka.

Authorities sentenced Dzianis Vorazaŭ, Viačasłaŭ Panciušenka, Volha Cierach, and Kaciaryna Zareckaja to five years in prison; Uładzimir Łavor, to four years and nine months, the Strana Dlya Zhizni foundation said. Police arrested the group in September 2022 for hanging out Ukrainian and Belarusian national flags in Minsk.

Former presidential hopeful Andrej Dźmitryjeŭ was given 18 months in prison over 2020 protests, Viasna reported.

Jailed Viktoryja Kulša went on a new trial in the Homiel region for allegedly disobeying prison authorities. She is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically-motivated.

Other instances of persecution

A court in Minsk ruled that journalist Pavieł Padabied should remain in custody, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) said. Authorities charged him with facilitating extremism after he had served 15 days in jail for sharing opposition content.

Imprisoned journalist Ihar Łosik has been placed in a punishment cell, Radio Svaboda reported. In March, he attempted suicide to protest detention conditions. Łosik is currently serving a 15-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically-motivated. In January, his wife Darja was given two years in prison for an interview with an opposition media outlet.

The Ašmiany Electrical Networks in the Hrodna region are planning to dismiss dozens of employees, including engineers, over 2020 protests, zerkalo.io reported.

Cases of mass call-up of reservists for military training have been recorded in the Brest region, including in Brest, Baranavičy, and Łuniniec. They may be linked to the ongoing combat readiness check in the Armed Forces.

New political prisoners

Belarusian human rights groups declared Alaksandr Mancevič, 64, editor in chief of Rehijanalnaja Hazieta, a political prisoner, Viasna reported. He is held in custody on charges of discrediting Belarus.

Extremist content updates

Authorities blacklisted BelarusWithUkraine Telegram channel and two opposition Telegram chats as extremist content.

As of April 7, human rights defenders identified at least 1,487 political prisoners.