Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

May 11, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on May 10 as authorities keep victimizing dissenters.

Arrested and released

Police arrested Vikiencij Korda, husband of Maryna Korda, an elementary school teacher in Dokšycy, Viciebsk region, in custody since May 4, the Viciebsk branch of the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. She may have been charged with sharing opposition content. Her husband works as a physical education teacher at the same school.

Police also arrested sports blogger Dźmitryj Sielviastruk who runs a soccer-themed Telegram channel, Tribuna reported.

The state-run media reported a Ukrainian trace in the terrorist attacks reportedly planned in Belarus on May 9. The docufiction broadcast by ONT features supposedly authentic footage of interviews with four suspects accused of terrorism and high treason: Viktoryja Vołčak, Hanna Savačkina, Taćciana Rusak and Andrej Hryhorjeŭ. The film also mentioned a certain Valeryj Vodzin, a Belarusian-born man based in Ukraine.

Authorities released Alaksandr Ivanoŭ on May 8 after he had served 20 months in prison on charges widely seen as politically motivated, Viasna reported.

Criminal proceedings

A district court in Brest sentenced IT engineer Alaksandr Zanoŭski to 18 months in prison for online comments allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, Viasna said.

Jan Papkovič went on trial at the Minsk City Court. Authorities accuse him of participating in protests and participation in armed conflict in a foreign country.

Kirył Kuzniacoŭ is on trial in Homiel on charges of inciting hatred and promoting extremist activities.

Trials

In April, authorities jailed a Brest man for seven days for singing the Ukrainian anthem at a local karaoke bar.

Extremist content update

The Ministry of Internal Affairs blacklisted a group of people associated with the Alisa Rasskazyvayet and Solidarnost Ivatsevichi Telegram communities as “extremist” groups, BPN reported.

Other instances of persecution

Authorities transferred Hienadź Fiadynič, jailed leader of the Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers (REP), to Penal Colony No 2 in Babrujsk; his associates Vasil Bieraśnieŭ and Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška, to penal colonies in Mahiloŭ and Škłoŭ. All three are to serve lengthy prison terms for allegedly inciting hatred, calling for sanctions and running an extremist group.

Homiel police summoned local activist Illa Mironaŭ, he wrote on Facebook. The summons may be linked to his complaints to the information ministry about alleged abuse by the state-run media.

Authorities denied reports that jailed rock musician Jaŭhien Burło, 32, was diagnosed with recurrent cancer in custody, Viasna said noting that he had other health issues. Police arrested The Tor Band musicians in late October 2022 but have not yet disclosed the charges against them.

Eduard Babaryka, the son of former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, will go on trial in Minsk on May 22. He may face up to 20 years in prison on charges of inciting hatred and organizing riots.

The Minsk City Court will announce the verdict in the case against Pavieł Biełavus, founder of the Symbal.by store, on May 11, his wife Kaciaryna Makovič wrote on Facebook. He is charged with four criminal offences, including high treason and has been on trial behind closed doors since February 20.

As of May 11, human rights defenders identified at least 1,493 political prisoners.