{"id":100799,"date":"2024-08-16T11:13:30","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T08:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/100799\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"reprisals-arrests-of-2020-protesters-continue","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/100799\/","title":{"rendered":"Reprisals: arrests of 2020 protesters continue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

August 16, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on August 15 as rights groups reported more arrests and trials linked to 2020 postelection protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police arrested Illa Karaty\u0161e\u016dski from Kamianiec, Brest region, following the arrest of his friend earlier, the Viasna Human Rights Center said. Police claimed that both participated in 2020 protest rallies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brest man was arrested on similar charges after refusing to talk to investigators, a pro-government source said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A judge in Baranavi\u010dy, Brest region, sentenced Piotr Zinievi\u010d to two and a half years in prison; Alaksandar Tarasievi\u010d and D\u017amitryj Bla\u0161\u010danica, to 18 months each on protest-related charges, Viasna reported. In the past, Zinievi\u010d had been already persecuted on charges widely seen as politically motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hrodna Jewish community leader Raman Smirno\u016d went on trial for allegedly insulting Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, hrodna.life<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homiel-based entertainer Jahor Zien\u010danka is serving a two-year prison term for participating in protests at Penal Colony No 1 in Navapo\u0142ack, Viciebsk region, Viasna’s Homiel branch said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special proceedings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Minsk judge sentenced Hienad\u017a Kapitana\u016d to six years in prison and a fine of 24,000 rubels (about $7,620) without the defendant being present, Viasna reported. Charges against him included inciting hatred, insulting officials and calling for sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online content<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police arrested a man for allegedly posting 14,000 online comments and sharing information with an online opposition project, a pro-government source said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aleh Dzianisik was tried in Hrodna yesterday for sharing opposition content, the Pravo Imeyut <\/em>Telegram channel said. The sentence remains unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other cases<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities claim that Via\u010das\u0142a\u016d Sad\u010danko and Dani\u0142a Ku\u017aniaco\u016d from Re\u010dyca, Homiel region, refused to complete community service after being arrested on extremism-related charges last month. A pro-government source said both may face a new arrest and jail terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of August 16, human rights defenders identified at least 1,382 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian authorities have arrested about 65,000 people for political reasons in the four years since the August 2020 presidential election, Viasna reported in early August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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