Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

May 15, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on May 13 and 14 as authorities continue using criminal charges to intimidate dissenters.

Viktar Babaryka

Former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka is at a general hospital in Kaladzičy near Minsk, a staff member at Detention Center No 1 told his team’s volunteer. A worker rights group reported Babaryka’s hospitalization with signs of beating and a collapsed lung on April 26. Two days later, his team said his whereabouts were unknown.

Arrested and released

Police arrested Žana Vołkava at a parent-teacher meeting in one of Homiel’s schools, Flagshtok reported. She is held in pre-trial detention and may be charged with inciting hatred.

Authorities released Uładzimir Sokał after he had served two years in prison on charges of insulting a public official and threatening violence against police officers.

New criminal cases

Since the start of 2023, Minsk law enforcers brought criminal charges against seven people accused of abusing state symbols, the Investigative Committee said.

Alaksiej Hałoŭkin currently serving a three-year prison term faces two new criminal charges, MAYDAY.TEAM reported.

Criminal proceedings

Jaŭhien Liviant, co-founder of 100 Ballov education center, will go on trial on May 19 at the Maskoŭski District Court in Minsk, the court’s electronic schedule says. Liviant’s wife Julija, daughter Hanna, son-in-law Mikita Drozd, business partner Alaksiej Ivanoŭ and a certain Alaksandra Ensajn are the defendants in the case. Authorities accuse them of participating in protests.

Other instances of persecution

Prison authorities placed Andrej Ściepanienka in a punishment cell, a Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated persecution in Hrodna and the Hrodna region said. He is currently serving an 18-month prison term at a prison in Babrujsk, Mahiloŭ region, for allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka.

Anton Stašeŭski, sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of plotting to seize power, was transferred to Penal Colony No 15 in Mahiloŭ, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

As of May 15, human rights defenders identified at least 1,483 political prisoners.