Five more political prisoners in Belarus
Statement by the human rights community of Belarus
May 4, 2023
We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that deprivation of liberty and criminal responsibility for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, dissent, and anti-war demonstrations.
In 2021, criminal legislation was significantly tightened and supplemented with new types of crimes used by authorities exclusively for political repression.
Out-of-court, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Committee (KGB) arbitrarily recognize groups of citizens united by social or political interests as extremist. These groups criticize the authorities’ actions and demand changes in the state and its policies. Some media organizations have also been recognized as extremist formations. This, in turn, paves the way for the arbitrary criminal prosecution and deprivation of liberty for their participants and respondents as disproportionate measures to restrict the right to association and freedom of expression. For instance:
- Mr. Andrei Baranau has been detained on charges of financing terrorism under Article 290-1 of the Criminal Code for donating to a protest community.
- Mr. Anton Ohiy has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment in a penal colony on charges of financing extremist activity under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for his donations.
- Mr. Uladzislau Papou has been sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment in a penal colony on charges of promoting extremist activity under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code for sending photos and videos of military equipment, soldiers, and military airfields to a protest information resource.
- Ms. Viktoryia Haurylina has been detained on charges of financing extremist activity under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for her donations, as well as on charges of tax evasion under Article 243 and illegal actions regarding personal data under Article 203-1 of the Criminal Code. The latter two charges are unrelated to causing significant harm to protected public relations. The law imposes significant restrictions on the application of detention measures for defendants accused of crimes related to economic activity.
- Mr. Artsiom Liabedzka has been detained on charges of financing extremist activity under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code.
We recognize the aforementioned individuals as political prisoners in accordance with Section 3.1(a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”. We demand that the Belarusian authorities:
- Immediately release the political prisoners Mr. Andrei Baranau, Mr. Anton Ohiy, Mr. Uladzislau Papou, Ms. Viktoryia Haurylina, and Mr. Artsiom Liabedzka.
- Immediately release all political prisoners and cease political repression in the country.
Human Rights Center Viasna
Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Belarusian Association of Journalists
Human Constanta
Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House
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