{"id":101367,"date":"2024-08-21T11:35:17","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T08:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/101367\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"reprisals-authorities-keep-targeting-exiled-opponents","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/101367\/","title":{"rendered":"Reprisals: authorities keep targeting exiled opponents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

August 21, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on August 20 as authorities kept persecuting exiled regime critics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent trials in absentia in Hrodna targeted journalist U\u0142adzimir Chilmanovi\u010d as well as sisters Nadzieja \u015aciepancova and \u017dana Zacharkievi\u010d, who fled Belarus after restricted freedom sentences passed for participating in 2020 postelection protests. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rights groups reported sentences ranging from five to five and a half years on extremism-related charges. Chilmanovi\u010d was additionally fined 40,000 rubels ($12,630). \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrested and released<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least nine political prisoners, including seriously ill trade unionist Vasil Biera\u015bnie\u016d, 74, and journalist Ksienija \u0141uckina, were released yesterday under the pardon program covering 30 convicts in politically-motivated cases, Dissidentby<\/em> reported. Iryna Sanko\u016dskaja, Volha Novikava, A\u0142a Zujeva and Volha Stabro\u016dskaja were also released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities released Ja\u016dhien Batura after he had served two years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility on protest-related charges, Pozirk<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siarhiej Piatro\u016d from Homiel is under arrest after talking to an undercover police agent online, Mediazona<\/em> reported. Police also arrested a man for wearing a cap with an anti-police slogan, a pro-government source said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criminal proceedings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table tennis coach Juryj \u0141ahadziuk was given two years in prison on charges of facilitating extremism for alleged association with opposition groups, the Viasna Human Rights Center said. Rights groups consider his persecution to be politically motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anarchist activist Alaksandar Franckievi\u010d, serving 16 years and nine months on charges widely seen as politically motivated, was sentenced to an additional year in prison for allegedly disobeying prison authorities, Viasna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 11, jailed Vasil Kavalo\u016d was tried on similar charges, usually filed by the authorities to keep their opponents in prison longer, Viasna said. Two years ago, the man was convicted for discrediting the state and insulting officials in connection with critical social media posts. He was due to be released in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna’s activists also reported the trial of jailed trade unionist Volha Brycikava in Viciebsk. Authorities accuse her of facilitating extremism for alleged association with opposition groups, inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. A few months ago, she had been already sentenced to three years in prison for inciting hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaksiej Razvado\u016dski went on trial in Va\u016dkavysk, Hrodna region, on charges of insulting and defaming the head of state in connection with critical social media posts, the Sudy, Zaderzhaniya. Grodno i Oblast <\/em>Telegram channel reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Former Janka Kupa\u0142a theatre actor D\u017amitryj Jesianievi\u010d managed to flee Belarus after being arrested at the border and serving a jail term on a minor offense charge, Na\u0161a Niva<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tamaz Pipija, serving a five-year prison term in a politically-motivated case, has been held incommunicado for about two months at Penal Colony No 1 in Navapo\u0142ack, Viciebsk region, the Anarchist Black Cross Belarus reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of August 21, human rights defenders identified at least 1,360 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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