{"id":119868,"date":"2024-12-27T11:41:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T08:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/119868\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"reprisals-authorities-set-to-stifle-all-signs-of-dissent","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/119868\/","title":{"rendered":"Reprisals: authorities set to stifle all signs of dissent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2024: surge in criminal cases against exiled Belarusians, 45 journalists behind bars, 35 media outlets branded \u201cextremist\u201d groups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three arrested for links to service allowing writing letters to political prisoners online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twelve tried for sharing opposition content<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construction retail chain CEO accused of participating in protests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police fire shots to stop man suspected of \u201cdestructive\u201d activities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 27, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> A total of 45 media workers are held behind bars in Belarus with 27 arrests reported in 2024, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said. Thirty-five media outlets were branded “extremist” groups, while journalists disclosed more than 100 cases of indirect pressure, it noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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, noting a significant growth of such cases compared to 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Alaksandar \u0141yk\u0161yn, Alaksandar Mazur and Pavie\u0142 Karaniuchin were arrested in mid-November for their links to the pismo.bel <\/em>online service that helped people post letters to political prisoners. The three men face charges of association with an extremist group, Viasna said. The arrests followed the extremist content designation for the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anton Rusakovi\u010d, Ryhor Pa\u0161kievi\u010d, Hieorhij \u0160yrako\u016d, Mikadzim Bielski, U\u0142adzimir Rubba, Ivan Nabajenka, Ludmi\u0142a Karol, Pavie\u0142 Vasilje\u016d and Kanstancin \u0160am\u0161ura were tried in Viciebsk region for sharing opposition content, the Vitebsk, Ya Gulay<\/em> Telegram channel reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ina Py\u017ejanava, Alena Markievi\u010d and Siarhiej Hryhas faced similar charges in the Hrodna region, the Pravo Imeyut Telegram channel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nina Chara\u0161kievi\u010d was tried for receiving foreign aid in Navapo\u0142ack, Viciebsk region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sentences are unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

A judge in Viciebsk sentenced Pavie\u0142 Ivano\u016d to two years in prison on charges of insulting Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka and officials, while Juryj Ruba\u0161enka went on trial on similar charges in Minsk, Telegram channel monitoring politically-motivated trials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaksandar Apolka, in charge of the Materik construction retail chain, is on trial in Minsk on protest-related charges. Alaksandar \u017duk and standup comedian \u015aciapan Mankievi\u010d face similar charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u017amitryj Son\u010dyk, arrested upon his return from abroad for online comments, is on trial for insulting officials, judges and \u0141uka\u0161enka, Viasna said. Rights groups consider Son\u010dyk a political prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businessman Mika\u0142aj Ju\u0161\u010danka, accused of high treason and insulting \u0141uka\u0161enka and has been on a closed-door trial in Homiel since December 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Police officers fired shots at a car to arrest a man in Brest suspected of involvement in \u201cdestructive activity,\u201d the interior ministry said. The suspect reportedly suffered minor injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian law enforcement officers seek \u201ccompensation of damages\u201d for donations to opposition initiatives from people who have already paid in the past, Viasna reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of December 27, human rights defenders identified at least 1,251 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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