At least 43 political prisoners released in July, 18 of them amnestied and pardoned
Now 1388 people are recognized as political prisoners, and their number is increasing almost weekly. At the same time, every month several dozen political prisoners leave their places of detention either after the expiration of the sentence, or after the trial before being sent to an open-type correctional facility or to serve time in home confinement. According to Viasna, at least 43 people were released in July, 20 of whom served their sentences in full, and 18 were amnestied or released on exchange. Four more people were sentenced to home confinement and released from a pre-trial detention facility. What political prisoners served their sentences for and how many of them were held in places of captivity, Viasna recalls their cases.
Political prisoner Ivan Datsishyn — 3 years, 8 months, and 9 days of imprisonment
Ivan studied Radiophysics and Computer Technology at Belarusian State University. The man was detained in October 2020. He was accused under Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code.
According to the investigation, he took a stone and threw it towards a security forces vehicle. On March 18, 2021, in the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk, he was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in a medium security penal colony. The political prisoner served time in Ivacevičy colony No. 22. He was released on July 9.
Political prisoner Vital Shcherbich — 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days of imprisonment
Prior to his detention, the political prisoner worked at the INVITRO medical laboratory. He was sentenced to four years in a penal colony for "preparing for mass riots in Minsk" (Part 1 of Article 13 and Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code).
Vital was detained on November 17, 2020, during a search of his house, pyrotechnic supplies, airsoft ammunition, as well as nine Czech hedgehogs were found. The man's accusation was based on information from a mobile operator about the location of Vital's phone at the sites of protests in August and September 2020, a telephone conversation with his mother, messages left in OGSB Telegram chat and confiscated items. Vital pleaded not guilty.
Political prisoner Siarhei Korshun — 3 years, 11 months, and 26 days of imprisonment
Siarhei is a blogger managing the Telegram channel Army with the People, a former police officer. He was detained in July 2020 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. Then the article was changed to 293 (education or other training of persons to participate in mass riots, or financing of this activity).
On May 7, 2021, the Minsk Regional Court sentenced Siarhei to four and a half years of imprisonment in a medium security penal colony.
Political prisoner Mikalai Kazlou — 1 year, 11 months, and 25 days of imprisonment
Mikalai is a Belarusian politician, chairman of the United Civic Party (UCP). On August 6, 2021, he was sentenced to three months of arrest for disclosing the data of the investigation into the case of the Coordinating Council.
On July 27, 2022, he was detained again along with other members of the UCP. He was accused of participating in the March of the New Belarus in Minsk in 2020 (Article 342 of the Criminal Code). On November 3, Mikalai was sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony. He delivered a powerful last speech at the trial.
On July 22, Mikalai was released, having fully served his sentence.
Political prisoner Aleh Shvaiko — 1 year, 8 months, and 20 days of imprisonment
In the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk in March 2023, the political prisoner was sentenced to two years in a penal colony. He was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code for the events of 2020.
In addition, the judge filed a separate civil lawsuit for "blocking roads" in the amount of 69 thousand rubles (more than 19,500 euros). Recently, the Minsk City Court upheld Aleh's sentence.
Shvaiko worked with the women's team at the Minsk Football Club. It is known that he expressed an active position on the events in Belarus in 2020. At the end of 2021, the coach left the Minsk FC and began coaching children at other football schools.
Political prisoner Aliaksandr Mishuk — 2 years, 1 month, and 29 days of imprisonment
Aliaksandr is the chairman of the Independent Trade Union at Belaruskali. He was detained on May 25, 2022 after a search in his office.
He was convicted under Part 1 of Article 361 (calls for restrictive measures (sanctions), other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus) of the Criminal Code. The case was considered by judge Viktoryia Paliashchuk.
The prosecutor's office blamed Aliaksandra for his speech to the employees of OJSC Belaruskali with the "purpose of creating a strike committee." In turn, Aliaksandr explained his speech as emotional, because at that time everyone was under the influence of emotions caused by mass violence by the security forces.
Political prisoner Sviatlana Lupach — 1 year, 1 month, and 25 days of imprisonment
The woman was detained in early May 2023 by Hlybokaje policemen. That day, she was resting in Hlybokaje with her friends, and the police arrived and at first detained everyone, but then they released everyone but Sviatlana.
On May 3, the Hlybokaje Court punished her first with 10 days of detention under Part 2 of Article 19.11 of the Administrative Code (distribution of extremist materials). After that, she was tried again and was fined 925 roubles (more than 260 euros). Later, Sviatlana was transferred to the Viciebsk pre-trial detention center as part of a criminal case. She was accused under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
The court sentenced her to a year and a half in a penal colony. In early July, Sviatlana left the Homieĺ colony after the expiration of her term.
More than 15 political prisoners were amnestied and pardoned, among them Ryhor Kastusiou
On July 2, Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed the law On Amnesty in Connection with the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Belarus from Nazi Invaders. It, like previous similar laws, does not grant amnesty for persons "involved in extremist and terrorist activities." Nevertheless, several political prisoners were released. As of July 5, Viasna human rights defenders know for certain about 18 political prisoners who were amnestied on July 3. There are four women and 14 men among them.
Among those released is a cancer patient Ryhor Kastusiou.
Ryhor Kastusiou, 67-year-old chairman of the BPF Party, was held behind bars for more than three years. In September 2022, Ryhor was found guilty of "conspiracy to seize state power" and sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony.
In imprisonment, Ryhor's health problems worsened: he was diagnosed with cancer. In April, he underwent surgery, after which he was immediately transferred to a prison cell.
Four political prisoners were released after the trial
In July, the courts in Belarus overwhelmingly sentenced political prisoners to imprisonment. Only four people were released from pre-trial detention facilities after the trials being sentenced to home confinement. These are Raman Zabela, Illia Palonski, Maksim Nazarchuk, and Darya Mandzik.
But these data may be incomplete, since not all the results of the trials of political prisoners are yet known to human rights defenders.
