Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

May 23, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus between May 20 and 22, including the trial of the former presidential hopeful’s son and the pardon of a journalist who agreed to cooperate with authorities. 

Arrested and released
Police arrested Jaŭhien Choładaŭ and Alaksiej Kandurcaŭ in Mahiloŭ, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. They may face charges of distributing opposition content, insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka and sharing data with opposition Telegram channels.  

Police briefly detained entertainer Kanstancin Bajandzin, 26, after checking his phone upon his return to Belarus from Russia, orsha.eu reported.

Authorities released Homiel activist Illa Mironaŭ after he had spent 10 days in jail for social media content likes, his Facebook page says.

Trials
A court in Navapołack, Viciebsk region, jailed six local doctors after a leak about the hospitalization of former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, BPN reported. Surgeon Michaił Pačkoŭski, urologist Pavieł Stalmakoŭ and surgery nurse Śviatłana Hryharovič were given 15 days in jail; head of the gynecology department Iryna Vasiljeva and paramedic Natalla Piervianionak, 10 days. Ultrasound doctor Ala Stalmakova was fined 3,700 rubels (over $1,260).

Criminal proceedings
The Minsk Regional Court started hearing a case against Eduard Babaryka, 33, Viktar Babaryka’s son and one of his presidential campaign leaders in 2020, Viasna reported. Babaryka Jr. may face up to 20 years in prison on charges of tax evasion, inciting hatred and organizing riots. He pleaded not guilty.

Accountant Hanna Karniajenka went on trial in Minsk, Naša Niva reported. Investigators accused her of sharing information with an online project exposing the identities of security officers who mistreated and brutalized peaceful protesters in 2020.

Alina Horava, Uładzisłaŭ Łahucienka and Dźmitryj Sasnoŭski will go on trial in Kruhłaje, Mahiloŭ region, on charges of participating in protests, Viasna reported.

Detention conditions
A court in Mazyr, Homiel region, ruled to transfer jailed web designer Hleb Kojpiš to a penal colony for reportedly violating the conditions of his detention, according to Viasna. Authorities accused him of participating in protests and sentenced him to two years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility in late 2021. He is currently awaiting the appeal hearing scheduled for June 13.

Other instances of persecution
Jailed opposition activist Maryja Kaleśnikava is having health problems in a penal colony in Homiel, MAYDAY.TEAM reported. About a month ago she reportedly needed assistance when walking. She is currently serving an 11-year prison term for allegedly plotting to seize power unconstitutionally. Last November, she had an emergency surgery for peritonitis.

Jailed disabled activist Uładzimir Hundar, sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for his role in an alleged plot to overthrow the government, lost his hearing after a week in a punishment cell, BPN reported.

Pratasievič’s pardon
Łukašenka pardoned Raman Pratasievič, the journalist whose capture two years ago involved a false bomb threat and the forced landing of a passenger flight in Minsk, Viasna reported. On May 3, he was given eight years in prison on charges of involvement in extremism and threatening national security but agreed to cooperate with the authorities. 

As of May 23, human rights defenders identified at least 1,525 political prisoners.