Rights groups designate nine as political prisoners

June 19, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have labeled nine people as political prisoners, taking their total to 1,497, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

One of them is Uładzimir Kazieka, a man who has served several jail terms since May 9 for sharing opposition content.

Authorities often impose several consecutive jail terms to keep up pressure on activists, Viasna and several other rights groups stressed in a statement.

Other additions include Vital Skudarnaŭ (prison term unknown), Alaksandr Kandraciuk (three and a half years in prison), Jarasłaŭ Sakovič, Uładzimir Hiemza, Dźmitryj Bahačenka and Alaksiej Šahajeŭ (two years each), Hanna Karniejenka (five years).

The charges against them range from abusing state symbols and insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka and public officials to inciting hatred and facilitating extremism.

Dźmitryj Zahałaviec, held in custody on charges of insulting officials and inciting hatred, was also included in the list.

Viasna, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, the Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed the statement, demanding an end to politically-motivated persecution and the release of all political prisoners.