{"id":104883,"date":"2024-09-13T20:03:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/104883\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"viasna-dozens-arrested-over-protests-upon-returning-to-belarus-this-year","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/104883\/","title":{"rendered":"Viasna: dozens arrested over protests upon returning to Belarus this year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (gpk.gov.by)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 13, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> More than 55 people have been arrested after returning to Belarus since January for following independent media online or participating in 2020 postelection protests, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 17 face criminal charges, it added, noting that the number of arrested may be higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possession of outlawed Belarusian national symbols and even Ukrainian border crossing stamps may be a reason for an arrest in Belarus, rights defenders warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In late August, Kaciaryna Bystrakova was arrested at the border after a smartphone check, the report said. Earlier, law enforcers arrested administrators of Belarusian community chats in Poland, Portugal and Turkey when they visited Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who participated in 2020 protest rallies, donated money to Belarusian initiatives, displayed solidarity with political prisoners or posted government-critical online comments risk politically-motivated persecution in Belarus, Viasna noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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