What happened to political prisoners on July 18–22

There are already 1,263 political prisoners in Belarus – and counting. Every week the courts keep handing down new sentences and laying new charges against those already in custody. But there are also those who have served their term and are finally released. Viasna has collected all the news about political prisoners for the third week of July.

This week the list of political prisoners was updated with 14 new names.

Between July 18 and 22, at least 11 political prisoners were convicted in courts:

• On July 18, the Hrodna Regional Court passed a verdict on Yuliya Laptanovich, an activist from Pružany and a mother of three. Judge Viktar Sianko found the political prisoner guilty under six articles of the Criminal Code and sentenced her to five years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony. In addition, the court imposed a fine of 608 Belarusian rubles (equivalent to 240 US dollars).
• On July 14, 2022, Anastasiya Sankouskaya was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom under home confinement under Article 342 of the Criminal Code.
• Yuliya Chamlai, a defendant in the Zeltser Case, has been found guilty of ‘insulting a government official’ and ‘inciting social hatred’ under Articles 369 and 130 of the Criminal Code. She was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.
• On June 22, 2022, Judge Tatsiana Shotsik of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced Maksim Matyrka to three years of restricted freedom in an open-type penitentiary under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. Taking into account his previous conviction for ‘actively participating in actions grossly violating the public order’ under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, for his participation in protests in 2020, and later with Part 3 of Article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional destruction or damage to property), the judge sentenced him to nine years in a medium-security penal colony.
• On July 18, Vital Zhylinski was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony for ‘committing group actions grossly violating the public order’ and ‘inciting hatred’ under Articles 342 and 130 of the Criminal Code.
• On June 27, the Centraĺny District Court of Homieĺ convicted political prisoner Heorhi Vasilenka who had been accused of ‘insulting the President of Belarus’ under Part 1, Article 368 of the Criminal Code. According to the indictment, Mr. Vasilenka posted messages containing obscene language addressed to the President of the Republic of Belarus in a group chat – while serving his sentence in an open-type correctional facility. Judge Viktar Kazachok sentenced Mr. Vasilenka to 18 months in a general-security penal colony. Taking into account his previously served punishment, Heorhi is to spend 17 months behind bars.
• On July 19, Judge Volha Dubavik sentenced Aliaksandr Kazakevich, a musician from Maladziečna, to 18 months of restricted freedom under home confinement for ‘insulting a government official’ under Article 369 of the Criminal Code. The defendant was also ordered to pay 2,000 Belarusian rubles (equivalent to) in favor of the victims.
• On July 20, 2022, Yuliya Katsenia was convicted in a criminal case for ‘group actions grossly violating the public order’ under Article 342 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to three years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility.
• On July 13, 2022, the Minsk Regional Court in a closed-door session sentenced Siarhei Aleksiayeuski to three years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony and a fine of 3,200 Belarusian rubles (equivalent to 1,270 US dollars) for ‘insulting a government official’ and ‘inciting hatred’ under Articles 369 and 130 of the Criminal Code.
• On July 21, 2022, the case of Santa Franchuk and Uladzimir Dalshou was heard in the Saviecki District of Minsk Court. They were accused of ‘group actions grossly violating the public order’ under Article 342 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to three years of restricted freedom under home confinement each.

Three people were released:

• Yauhen Markavets and Aliaksandr Zhuk have served their terms in full.
• Alena Talkachova was released from pre-trial detention after her measure of restraint had been changed.