Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

July 24, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on July 22 and 23 as authorities continue their crackdown on dissent, targeting lately opposition parties and nonprofits.

The Supreme Court ruled last week to shut down the nationalist Conservative Christian Party (CCP). The official register of legal entities indicates that the CCP is in the process of liquidation.

On July 28, the Minsk City Court is scheduled to hear a liquidation lawsuit against a Syrian community association that has a 26-year-long history in Belarus.

On August 8, the Supreme Court will consider a similar lawsuit against the Republican Party, registered back in 1994. The party showed no signs of activity in the last three years.

Arrests

Minsk police arrested Viktar Narejka, Naša Niva reported. He faces criminal charges for allegedly sharing information with an opposition chatbot.

Trials

A judge in Sianno, Viciebsk region, fined teacher Karalina Źviarynskaja 370 rubels (over $120) for sharing opposition content, the Viciebsk branch of the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Trials

Michaił Miakieka will go on trial in Hrodna on July 24, Mediazona reported. Police arrested him in December 2022 after his return from Poland and accused him of inciting hatred, participating in protests and slandering Alaksandar Łukašenka. Authorities also blacklisted Miakieka as a person involved in terrorist activities.

Alaksandar Mirski’s trial will open in Minsk on the same day, Viasna said. Authorities accuse the former head of the National Union of Tourist Organizations of high treason.

A court in Minsk will hear a case against folk singer Patrycyja Svicina on August 1. She has been in custody since May 2023 for allegedly participating in protests.

Other instances of persecution

The whereabouts of jailed opposition activist Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk are unknown, her husband Andrej Šarenda said. There has been no news from her since early July when she was allegedly beaten by cellmates.

As of July 24, human rights defenders identified at least 1,473 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.