Krumkač band members released from jail

April 16, BPN. Authorities have released the Krumkač rock band musicians Arciom Ramanaŭ and Alaksandr Kubyškin after they had served 10 days in jail for sharing opposition content, Homiel volunteer Illa Mironaŭ reports on Facebook.

Authorities continue criminal persecution of artists, writers and performers on politically-motivated charges with a total of 137 artists imprisoned as of March 31, Belarusian PEN said in its recent report.

It mentioned 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.

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.