{"id":107328,"date":"2024-10-01T13:24:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T10:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/107328\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"viasna-at-least-67-pensioners-repressed-on-politically-motivated-criminal-charges","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/107328\/","title":{"rendered":"Viasna: at least 67 retired Belarusians imprisoned for political reasons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Halina Dzierby\u0161\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Viasna)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 1, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Belarusian authorities hold at least 67 people of retirement age in prisons for political reasons, the Viasna Human Rights Center said on International Day of Older Persons, October 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retirees were prosecuted on a wide range of charges, from insulting the head of state to high treason and terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Halina Dzierby\u0161 was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of terrorism in the high-profile Mika\u0142aj A\u016dtuchovi\u010d case. A resident of the Abuchava farm town in the Hrodna district, she suffers from cancer and heart problems. She had been an independent election observer for 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna also mentioned Iryna Mielchier, sentenced to 17 years in prison in the A\u016dtuchovi\u010d case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early July, human rights activists reported the release of 18 political prisoners after Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka had announced freeing his seriously ill opponents. That and subsequent groups of pardoned people included retirees, such as cancer-stricken Belarusian Popular Front leader Ryhor Kastusio\u016d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, 115 political prisoners have been released on pardon since July. Over the same period, human rights defenders have designated 142 people as political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all, there are 1,317 documented political prisoners in the country, according to Viasna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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