{"id":180713,"date":"2026-03-24T12:29:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T09:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/180713\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:37:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T10:37:34","slug":"reprisals-eight-women-given-lengthy-prison-terms-over-grassroots-activism","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/180713\/","title":{"rendered":"Reprisals: eight women given lengthy prison terms over grassroots activism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March 24, <\/strong>Pozirk<\/strong>.<\/em> New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus from March 21 to 23, with lengthy prison terms passed against participants in a grassroots initiative of local chats that was blacklisted and an extremist group in Belarus in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iryna Jaka\u016dleva and An\u017ee\u0142a Aharak were given eight and a half years in prison. Natalla Daronina, 52, was given the same term, Na\u0161a Niva<\/em> reported. Her husband, <\/em>Siarhiej Daronin, serving two and a half years in prison, was among the 250 dissidents whom Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka pardoned on March 19 after his talks with John Coale, US special envoy for Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viktoryja Hry\u0144ko, \u015aviat\u0142ana Miacielskaja, Volha Vierabjova, Volha Vosip\u010dyk and another woman whose name was not disclosed also received lengthy prison terms in the same case. The judge ordered each woman to pay 45,000 rubels in fines (about $15,100), the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-seven people convicted over links to local chats were freed on March 19; most of them are women, Viasna noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another development, D\u017amitryj \u0141uhovi\u010d was convicted on extremism-related charges in Homiel, but the sentence remains unknown, Viasna\u2019s Homiel branch said. Alaksandra Janickaja was tried in Minsk in a similar case, Na\u0161a Niva<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Truck driver D\u017amitryj Via\u0142a\u016d was given a prison term for allegedly defaming \u0141uka\u0161enka, inciting hatred and facilitating extremist activities, according to Na\u0161a Niva<\/em>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jailed dissident Cichan Vosipa\u016d went on the third trial in Mazyr, Homiel region, on disobedience charges and was given 18 additional months in prison, Viasna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Released dissidents<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The list of 250 dissidents freed on March 19 includes 51 women and 199 men. At least 34 of them were serving prison terms between two and two and a half years; 17 are seniors over 60 years old and at least 12 are pensioners. Nine of the recently pardoned people have serious health issues or disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 42 recently liberated people were persecuted and convicted for sharing information with the now-defunct Bie\u0142aruski Hajun initiative that monitored Russian military equipment movements in Belarus between 2022 and early 2025, Viasna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities informed some of the recently released designated political prisoners that they will be subject to constant police supervision and other strict restrictions, the Rozovyye Kosynki <\/em>initiative reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former prisoners were prohibited, among other things, from using bank cards and obtaining or using SIM cards, it noted. Any violation, even a minor one, such as alcohol consumption, can reportedly lead to re-imprisonment with potential placement in detention facilities during holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

A judge in Minsk opened proceedings against Vadzim Kryva\u0161eje\u016d, former director of the Olympic freestyle skiing center, without the defendant being present, Viasna reported. He is accused of abusing power, calling for sanctions and participating in extremist activities, charges widely seen as politically motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police arrested Catholic priest Anatol Prachnievi\u010d, searching both his home and church in Alchovi\u010dy, Minsk region, Viasna said. Parishioners reportedly do not have the keys to access the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U\u0142ad Vakul\u010dyk, sentenced to seven years in prison over drug-related offences, was accused of instigating political protests in the Penal Colony No 2 in Babrujsk, Mahilo\u016d region, in 2020. Since then, the man faced several trials on disobedience charges, with his prison term now exceeding 16 years, former prisoner Mika\u0142aj Dziadok said on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants in Freedom Day events abroad will be identified and may face trials in absentia and confiscation of property in Belarus, Alaksandar Suchadolski, spokesman for the Belarusian Investigative Committee, said yesterday, ahead of March 25, which will mark the 108th anniversary of the Belarusian independence proclamation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of March, human rights defenders identified at least 883 political prisoners, but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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