{"id":147861,"date":"2025-07-23T15:25:46","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T12:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/147861\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"rights-defenders-label-20-as-political-prisoners","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/147861\/","title":{"rendered":"Rights defenders label 20 as political prisoners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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July 23, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Human rights defenders have designated 20 persons as political prisoners, taking their total to 1,156 people, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New additions include Vital Azrymienka, Maksim Arcimenia, Andrej Bierasta\u016d, Ja\u016dhien Bodryka\u016d, Maryja Dziej\u010dyk, Dzijana Ha\u016dry\u0142ava, Alaksandar Hiersimmienka, Aleh Zialonka, Andrej Zahorski, Vital Ka\u015bciecki, Vasil Klimovi\u010d, Valancin Klebanovi\u010d, Kiry\u0142 Kra\u016dco\u016d, Iryna Levina, Juryj Nie\u015bciera\u016d, Siarhiej Sa\u0142a\u017eenca\u016d, Volha Sitnik, Vital \u010cavusa\u016d, Alaksandar Jacukievi\u010d and D\u017amitryj Ja\u0142\u010danka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All faced reprisals for alleged links with opposition initiatives or media outlets that Minsk branded as extremist groups for political reasons after the disputed 2020 presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of them, Bodryka\u016d, was taken into custody in Viciebsk last month on criminal charges for allegedly sharing pictures of military equipment movement with exiled opposition initiatives. Earlier, the man also faced minor offense charges linked to his participation in the 2020 postelection protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT worker Sa\u0142a\u017eenca\u016d was tried in Hrodna in mid-June for allegedly financing extremist activities after being arrested upon his return to Belarus in late 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian authorities routinely use terrorism and extremism designations to silence critical voices. Rights groups described the practice as a \u201cdisproportionate measure to restrict the right to association and freedom of expression.” Association with an extremist group carries a penalty of two to seven years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rights defenders urged the Belarusian authorities to immediately release all political prisoners, reconsider politically motivated sentences and end reprisals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides Viasna, the statement has been signed by Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Belarusian PEN, Lawtrend, Respect-Protect-Fulfill and Human Constanta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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