Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

June 10, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on June 9 while the number of political prisoners kept growing. 

Arrested and released

On June 6, police arrested rock musicians Alaksiej Zapasnik and Arciom Novikaŭ in Navapołack, Viciebsk region, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. Authorities have not disclosed the charges against them.

Authorities released Dźmitryj Šałak, the drummer of Paranoia Dolls in Navapołack, after he had served a jail term.

Maksim Žaraŭ was freed in early June after he had served two years in prison for alleged offenses connected with 2020 protests, the Brest branch of Viasna said.

Criminal proceedings

A certain Siarhiej Cichi will go on trial in Hrodna on June 12 on charges of illegal collection of data and disclosing state secrets, Hrodna.life reported. His personal data coincide with those of a senior police officer in charge of the anti-drug unit in Hrodna. An opposition Telegram channel said he fabricated criminal drug cases and abused people under arrest.

A judge in the Mahiloŭ region sentenced Alaksandr Chomčanka to one year in prison for allegedly insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka online, Viasna said.

On May 16, a court in Brest placed Hienadź Darožkin under arrest for three months for an online comment about senior police officials. The court also ruled to confiscate his smartphone and ordered him to pay a total of 2,200 rubels (about $750) in damages to the alleged victims.

Hrodna prosecutors requested a prison term for local trade unionist Maksim Sienik. Authorities accuse him of insulting Łukašenka, facilitating and financing extremist activities. The verdict is expected early next week.

Other instances of persecution

Jailed opposition activist Uładzimir Hundar was sent to Penal Colony No 2 in Babrujsk, Mahiloŭ region, BPN reported. The transfer took place a day after a court in Hrodna rejected his appeal against the third criminal sentence given for insulting a prosecutor. Hundar, whose leg had been amputated, is currently serving a cumulative prison term of 20 years on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

Jailed Dzianis Salmanovič, currently serving a 10-year prison term, was placed in a punishment cell for unknown reasons, Viasna said. Authorities accused him of creating videos for opposition resistance groups. His parents were forced to flee Belarus after his arrest fearing persecution. A year ago, the Committee for State Security (KGB) added Salmanovič to its terrorist register. 

As of June 10, human rights defenders identified at least 1,495 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.