Jailed party leader’s daughter freed after days in detention

April 25, Pozirk. Kaciaryna Kastusiova, a daughter of the Belarusian Popular Front leader Ryhor Kastusioŭ, has been freed after three days in a Mahiloŭ jail, the Mayday.Team rights group reported without providing any details.

Police arrested Kastusiova on April 22. A police-linked Telegram channel posted a video of her confession to collaborating with the outlawed Viasna Human Rights Center in 2020 and signing up for the opposition Pieramoha Plan in 2021.

Kastusiova is the middle daughter of Ryhor and his wife Łarysa, who have been married for 44 years. Her older sister, younger brother and their families live abroad, and she helps her imprisoned father with food parcels.

The BPF leader has been in detention since April 12, 2021. In September 2022, he was found guilty of conspiracy to seize power in connection with a Zoom call, in which he said he took part as a listener.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court dissolved BPF. However, the party is active and internationally recognized.

Also read: Police arrest daughter of jailed BPF leader Kastusioŭ