Sixteen rights groups slam sentence to Belarusian activist

June 22, BPN. Sixteen human rights organizations have demanded freedom for Belarusian activist Anastasija Łojka, denouncing her seven-year prison sentence as part of an assault on civil society.

Judge Alena Šylko convicted Anastasija Łojka of incitement to hatred in a closed-door trial in Minsk two days ago.

ARTICLE 19 Europe, Human Constanta and other Belarusian and foreign organizations said in a statement that Łojka “has been targeted for her peaceful and legitimate human rights work.”

They said she faced physical and psychological torture in pre-trial detention.

They also stated that the authorities disbarred Łojka’s defense attorneys, depriving her of the right to defense and the lawyers, of the right to practice their profession.