Over 200 people persecuted on political grounds in June – rights group

July 5, BPN. Belarusian authorities persecuted more than 200 people on political grounds in June, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

At least 58 people, including 18 women, were convicted in criminal cases, it noted.

Human rights defenders recorded a surge in criminal persecution for donations to informal communities and initiatives that authorities deem extremist.

Four persons were convicted in absentia in June, the report says.

Last month, Belarusian courts sentenced 35 persons to a total of 255 years in prison; five people were given a total of 11.5 years of restricted freedom in open-type correctional facilities and a further 18, 41 years in home confinement.

Four people sentenced to prison terms were also fined a total of 144,300 rubels (over $47,500). Six convicted persons were also deprived of their military ranks.