{"id":119753,"date":"2024-12-26T13:43:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-26T10:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/119753\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"viasna-reports-increased-pressure-on-exiled-belarusians-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/119753\/","title":{"rendered":"Viasna reports increased pressure on exiled Belarusians in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Investigative Committee)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

December 26, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> In the outgoing year, Belarusian authorities filed criminal charges against 110 Belarusians who fled the country fearing politically-motivated persecution, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of special proceedings that target those living abroad and evading contact with investigators grew significantly compared to 2023 when 18 such cases were reported. Amendments listing 34 offenses and allowing for investigations and trials in absentia came into effect in July 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusians who left the country face increased pressure with trials in absentia, searches of their family members’ homes, new threats and restrictions, rights defenders said. The number of exiles is growing, yet “even this is not enough for the regime,\u201d Viasna stressed, noting that authorities stepped up politically-motivated reprisals that have been ongoing since 2020 in the run-up to the January presidential election. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official register of “people involved in extremist activities” has nearly 5,000 entries, with 1,220 persons blacklisted as “terrorists,” 500 of whom are Belarusian nationals, the group noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past six months, 773 Belarusians have been reportedly added to the Russian wanted list, human rights defenders and journalists among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities in Belarus have equated criticism, solidarity, advocacy, the free media and free expression to extremism and terrorism.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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