{"id":81520,"date":"2024-04-23T11:21:50","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T08:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/81520\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"update-on-arrests-trials-politically-motivated-persecution-169","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/81520\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

April 23, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> New instances of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on April 22 with 16 new names added to the political prisoners\u2019 list. They were accused, taken into custody or sentenced for offenses against public order in connection with 2020 peaceful protests against election fraud, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police arrested Maksim Burako\u016dski from Ma\u0142adzie\u010dna, Minsk region, for alleged intentions to fight Russia in Ukraine, Na\u0161a Niva<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trials<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April 17, Iryna Zykava, an employee of a municipal housing management department in Raha\u010do\u016d, Homiel region, was tried for sharing opposition content, Viasna said. Authorities have already reportedly fired the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vital Lazaro\u016dski, a soccer fan from Mahilo\u016d, may be serving a 15-day jail term, Viasna reported. In the police video, he linked his arrest to participating in 2020 protests and sharing opposition content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

U\u0142adzimir Ba\u0142abanovi\u010d, a businessman and former head of the security department at Bie\u0142ahra group, will go on trial on May 2 for allegedly calling for sanctions, Na\u0161a Niva <\/em>reported. In late January, authorities claimed he was subscribed to a homeowners chat deemed extremist in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Minsk judge sentenced \u015aviat\u0142ana Kudryckaja to two and a half years of restricted freedom in home confinement on March 28 on protest-related charges, Viasna reported. Prosecutors said the woman blocked traffic during 2020 protests, estimating the damage at about 5,840 rubels (about $1,796).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mahilo\u016d Regional Court heard an appeal by Siarhiej \u0160ech, sentenced to two and a half years in prison on March 26 for allegedly insulting and defaming Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka, MAYDAY TEAM reported. The judge upheld the verdict but dropped the insulting charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arciom Antona\u016d, son of writer Siarhiej Antona\u016d, was given 18 months in prison for insulting \u0141uka\u0161enka, according to MAYDAY TEAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April 19, a judge in Minsk sentenced Anastasija Macia\u0161 to two years in prison for collaboration with Warsaw-based Belsat<\/em> TV that Belarusian authorities labeled an extremist group, Viasna reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darja Chmialnickaja went on trial in Minsk on April 22 on charges of participating in protests and an armed conflict abroad, Viasna reported. She has been in custody since October 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other instances of persecution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One month ago, a judge in \u0160k\u0142o\u016d, Mahilo\u016d region, ruled to transfer Anatol \u0141atu\u0161ka, a cousin of prominent exiled politician Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka, from a penal colony to a closed prison for six months. Anatol \u0141atu\u0161ka is serving a six-year term in a politically-motivated case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations Human Rights Committee registered a complaint by Belarusian D\u017amitryj Papo\u016d, sentenced to 16 years in prison, Viasna reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In late March, the administration of Penal Colony No 17 in \u0160k\u0142o\u016d stopped accepting money transfers for inmates, MAYDAY TEAM said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of April 23, human rights defenders identified at least 1,405 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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