{"id":172361,"date":"2026-01-20T17:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T14:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/172361\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"rights-defenders-identify-14-more-political-prisoners-2","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/172361\/","title":{"rendered":"Rights defenders identify 14 more political prisoners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (pixabay.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

January 20,<\/strong> Pozirk.<\/strong><\/em> Belarusian human rights defenders have identified 14 more political prisoners, taking their total to 1,158, said the Viasna Human Rights Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new designations include U\u0142adzimir Zinovienka, Dzianis Piatro\u016d and Ta\u0107ciana \u0160ynkievi\u010d serving prison terms on charges of inciting hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volha Barunova is serving three years in prison for allegedly facilitating extremist activities; Alaksiej Kierdal, five years on protest-related charges; Vital \u017dale\u017aniako\u016d was convicted for allegedly slandering Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka; Alaksandar Za\u0142atarevi\u010d was given four years for allegedly setting up an extremist group and insulting \u0141uka\u0161enka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u017amitryj and Volha Kapuza were sentenced to 24 and 21 years in prison, respectively, on terrorism-related charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All six above-listed persons were also persecuted for allegedly inciting hatred, a charge that Belarusian authorities often use against their political opponents. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other five new designated political prisoners are defendants in politically-motivated criminal cases: Alaksandar Kanaval\u010dyk (inciting hatred, facilitating extremist activities); Ivan Vojna\u016d (high treason, running a terrorist group and participating in a military conflict abroad); Mikita Kra\u015bko, Via\u010das\u0142a\u016d Bia\u0144ko and Andrej Repecij (high treason).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna, Belarusian PEN, Barys Zvozska\u016d Human Rights House, Lawtrend, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, The Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Human Constanta and Pravavaja Inicyjatyva signed the declaration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rights defenders demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners and the end of reprisals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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