Political prisoners count hits 1,500 as rights groups stand up for 11 more dissidents

April 21, BPN. Belarusian human rights activists declared 11 more people political prisoners in a joint statement published on April 21.

A total of 1,500 people have been labeled as such to date.

Dźmitryj Žydko was sentenced to 12 months in prison for writing negative remarks about Alaksandr Łukašenka and Vladimir Putin on a ballot and showing it to an election committee during a referendum.

Raman Arciomienka and Viktar Łamieka were arrested for alleged defamation of Alaksandr Łukašenka, while Andrej Pukanaŭ and Tamara Karavaj were sentenced to two years in prison on similar grounds.

Authorities arrested Alaksandr Tarasienka, and also sentenced Volha Aleniuk and Ihar Śviryd to 12 months in prison, for seemingly insulting the Belarusian ruler. Alaksandr Dziuba got 18 months, Alaksandr Tučkoŭ two years, and Ivan Milukoŭ two-and-a-half years in prison for supposedly insulting Łukašenka and a state servant.

The human rights community demands the immediate release of these and all other political prisoners.

The statement was signed by the Viasna Human Rights Center, Lawtrend, Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), Belarusian Helsinki Committee, and Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.