Opposition activist Šarenda-Panasiuk faces new charge

May 21, Pozirk. Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk, an outspoken critic of Belarus’ authoritarian government, may be given another year in prison in addition to two extra-years she has served already and two years of her original sentence given in connection with her political activity.
A new criminal case has been opened, her husband Andrej Šarenda said on Facebook.
“Palina is at Homiel’s Pre-Trial Detention Center No .3. . . . What is happening to Palina is humiliation, torture and gradual killing,” he said.
Mediazona reported that she has been accused of defying prison administration orders, the charge routinely used by authorities to keep opponents in prisons longer.
The news came as a major setback for her family who were expecting her to be released on May 21.
The human rights group Dissidentby reported on May 2 that the Rečyca District Court in the Homiel region placed her under preventive supervision, a measure usually applied to people released from prison.
In late March, a state-run TV channel reported that Šarenda-Panasiuk appealed to Alaksandar Łukašenka for pardon.
Her husband made it clear that the move was prompted by ill-treatment: the activist spent a long time in punishment cells and was deprived of food and medicine parcels.
In June 2021, the woman was given two years in prison after the judge found her guilty ofviolence against a police officer and insulting officials. She subsequently received two additional one-year sentences for allegedly disobeying the prison administration.
Human rights organizations consider Šarenda-Panasiuk a political prisoner.
Opposition leader calls for support of political prisoners on solidarity day
- Politics, SecurityMajor road blocked in southern Belarus over collapsed droneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecuritySecurity Council concludes surprise army inspectionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBiełavija repatriates 2,360 passengers from Middle EastThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKyiv to host Ukrainian-Belarusian conference Path to FreedomThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityInternal troops, riot police hold a search and destroy drill outside MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus’ KGB veterans serving at top positions at Russia’s Tsentr 795 involved in political assassinations abroadThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUCP’s Kazłoŭ appointed as law and order chief in opposition’s campThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights groups declare 11 more people political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsFM spokesman takes swipe at Lithuania over nuclear powerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUCP stalwart Mikałaj Kazłoŭ recommended for opposition’s law and order chiefThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityAttack on Iran failed, Łukašenka saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Society, SportHandball legend Rusianka elected as head of Belarus’ basketball federationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsLukašenka says Minsk discussing prisoner releases with WashingtonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuanian FM Budrys on ICC probe of Lukašenka: justice must prevailThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign currency assets up 4.6 percent in FebruaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ money supply up 3.3 percent in February – central bankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands 29 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+



