Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

July 21, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on July 21 as authorities continue to arrest and try opposition supporters for social media activity and participation in 2020 post-election protests.

Arrests

Police arrested Andrej Znoska, a Roman Catholic priest, in Lida, Hrodna region, on July 19, Chryscianskaja Vizija reported. It is unclear whether he has been charged.

In Fanipal, Minsk region, police arrested Nikita Skarabahatyj, a 23-year old man, on suspicion that he participated in 2020 post election protests, pro-government sources reported.

In Rečyca, Homieł region, police arrested Jarasłaŭ Kuzievič and Valeryj Mundziała. Pro-government sources have released a confession video with the two men saying that they had been outraged by the official result of the 2020 presidential election, had attended opposition candidate Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s rallies and opposition protests and had subscribed to “extremist” Telegram channels.

Trials

Judges fined Kryscina Bułanava, a mother of three, in Viciebsk on May 11 and Maryja Dzekanava, dean of the IT faculty at Polack State University, in Navapolack on May 30 for alleged anti-government social media posts, the Viciebsk branch of the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

The Minsk Regional Court sentenced Aleh Dabrydnieŭ, 17, Kiryl Balachonaŭ, Alaksandar Rukojc and Uładzislaŭ Jefimovič to prison terms of three to three and a half years for alleged association with Sajuz Biełaruskaha Nacyjanalnaha Ščyta (the Belarusian National Shield Union), a group labeled by authorities extremist, Viasna reported.

The interior ministry added 20 names to its list of extremists bringing the total to 3,068. The additions include Kanstancin Załatych, Mediarynok CEO and director of the business monthly Belorusy i Rynok; Valeryja Čarnamorcava, who researched GULAG, the Soviet network of forced labor camps; blogger Alaksandar Hurnik; and teenager Alaksandar Śliapnioŭ.

Political prisoners freed

Leanid Sudalenka, a Homiel-based veteran human rights defender, was released after serving his three-year sentence in full, Viasna reported.

In November 2021, a court in Homiel found Sudalenka, who helped protesters in the Homiel region to write complaints and pay fines, guilty of organizing and financing protests.

Another political prisoner known to have been released is Volha Jałcievič, a Dokšycy-based lawyer sentenced to two years for helping protesters pay fines and attorney services, volhaklas reported.

Human rights defenders said that at least 1,473 political prisoners were behind bars late on July 20. The real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.