Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

June 9, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on June 8 as authorities kept punishing Belarusians for allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka.

Arrests

In May, human rights defenders recorded at least three arrests of drivers on the M1 highway connecting Belarus with Russia after police checked their smartphones for opposition content, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

A resident of Minsk was arrested for allegedly wearing a “protest” t-shirt, a pro-government source said. Police also found the Ukrainian coat of arms in his possession.

Criminal proceedings

On June 6, a court in Baranavičy, Brest region, sentenced university student Alina Koval, 18, to two years of restricted freedom in home confinement on charges of insulting Łukašenka, the Brest branch of Viasna reported. The hearing was held on university premises.

Pavieł Jančuk was imprisoned for one year on similar charges in Brest, according to Viasna.

Judge Jaŭhienija Mielnik in Pinsk sentenced Uładzimir Chmura to two years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility for an online comment allegedly insulting Łukašenka, Viasna said.

Trials

Roman Catholic priest Viačasłaŭ Adamovič arrested in late May in Miory, Viciebsk region, was sentenced to seven days in jail, Chryścijanskaja Vizija said. Authorities accused him of gross violation of public order and sharing opposition content.

Other instances of persecution

There has been no news from jailed opposition politician Mikałaj Statkievič for 120 days, his wife Maryna Adamovič said on Facebook. Earlier, prison authorities informed her that her husband had been placed in solitary confinement for six months.

Jailed philosopher Uładzimir Mackievič has developed health issues in prison, wife Śviatłana Mackievič told Narodnaja Vola. His lawyer is allowed only rare visits.

All political prisoners held at Penal Colony No 20 in Mazyr, Homiel region, are sent to punishment cells following quarantine, MAYDAY.TEAM reported.

As of June 9, human rights defenders identified at least 1,490 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.