More than 30 political prisoners fully served their sentences in August, and 22 more were pardoned
Now 1372 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. In addition, over the past two months, the Belarusian authorities have begun to pardon political prisoners. According to Viasna, at least 53 people were released in August: 31 fully served their sentences, of which only one was a woman, and 22 people were pardoned. What political prisoners served their sentences for and how many of them were imprisoned, Viasna recalls their cases.
We publish the stories of some of them.
Political prisoner Maksim Razhkou — 2 years, 10 months, and 23 days of imprisonment
The Homeĺ resident was detained on September 29, 2021, as part of a criminal case initiated for comments on the Internet after the deaths of KGB officer Dzmitry Fedasiuk and IT specialist Andrei Zeltser.
The political prisoner was charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (active participation in actions grossly violating public order) and Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code (inciting other social hatred or hostility). He was sentenced to three and a half years in a general security penal colony.
Maksim served his term in Viciebsk colony No. 3. On August 21, he was released after fully serving his sentence. It is known that Maksim has a disability.
Political prisoner Yauhen Kharashkevich — 3 years, 6 months, and 30 days of imprisonment
Yauhen was detained on January 18, 2021 in Navapolack. He was charged under three articles of the Criminal Code at once. Kharashkevich's trial was held behind closed doors. On September 16, 2021, the Viciebsk Regional Court sentenced the political prisoner to four years in a penal colony.
At first, the political prisoner served time in Škloŭ colony No. 17, where he was repeatedly placed in a punitive isolation cell (SHIZO). In August 2022, Yauhen's punishment was increased and he was transferred to the prison security level in Hrodna prison No. 1. On August 17, the political prisoner was released after the end of his term.
Political prisoner Aliaksei Ilinchyk — 2 years and 13 days of imprisonment
Aliaksei is a Homeĺ bard and musician. He was accused of slandering Lukashenka (Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code), insulting Lukashenka (Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code), inciting other social hatred or hostility (Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony.
During his stay in pre-trial detention center-3 and in a penal colony, Aliaksei's health deteriorated. His right arm was almost not functioning, and his speech organs were impaired, so he could hardly speak. He could not write letters on his own either. As it became known to Homieĺ Viasna, Aliaksei served his sentence in full and was released on August 31.
Political prisoner Siarhei Dubik — 2 years, 10 months, and 7 days of imprisonment
In January 2022, the Ivanava District Court found the political prisoner guilty under four articles of the Criminal Code at once: Part 2 of Article 367 (slander against Lukashenka), Part 2 of Article 368 (insulting Lukashenka), Article 369 (insulting a government representative), Article 188 (slander) for messages, reposts, and photos on Vkontakte.
Dubik was sentenced to three years in a general security penal colony. On August 20, the political prisoner was released from Babrujsk colony No. 2.
Political prisoner Dzmitry Harbunou — 1 year, 6 months, and 28 days of imprisonment
The Brest blogger and activist was convicted under Part 1 of Article 368 (insulting Lukashenka), Article 369 (Insulting a representative of the government) of the Criminal Code. Judge Maryia Alifiaruk sentenced Dzmitry to one year and six months of imprisonment in a general security penal colony.
Dzmitry was accused of leaving a comment on the Internet with the word "asshole" under a photo of Lida policeman Anton Katsila. Katsila was reported to have taken part in the detention of Vitold Ashurak. The political prisoner served his term in Orša colony No. 8.
Political prisoner Aliaksandr Durayeu — 2 years, 7 months, and 6 days of imprisonment
The trial of Aliaksandr Durayeu, a dentist at the medical unit of the Grodno Azot company, took place in the spring of 2022. He was charged under a number of criminal articles for leaving comments.
In October 2022, the Kastryčnicki District Court of Hrodna sentenced the political prisoner to imprisonment for a period of three years in a general security penal colony. Aliaksandr served time in the Škloŭ penal colony No. 17. He was released on August 12 after the end of his term.
Political prisoner Aliaksei Kireyeu — 1 year, 9 months, and 23 days of imprisonment
In February 2023, the Savetski District Court of Minsk sentenced Aliaksei to two years in a penal colony, accusing him of organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, or actively participating in them (Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code). The case was handled by judge Aliaksandr Vouk.
It is known that Aliaksei participated in protests in 2020, and one of them took place on September 27. He was detained about ten times since the beginning of the election campaign, and was punished three times with administrative arrests for periods from five to 15 days. He served his sentence in Mahilioŭ penal colony No. 15.
Political prisoner Aleh Buikevich — 2 years, 8 months, and 2 days of imprisonment
Aleh was convicted in November 2021 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code for participating in a protests on August 10, 2020 in Minsk. He allegedly shouted slogans and blocked the road with other protesters. The court punished Aleh with three years of an open-type correctional institution.
In December 2021, the political prisoner was sent to the open-type correctional institution No. 7, where he was released from on August 20.
More than 20 political prisoners were pardoned
On August 16, Lukashenka signed a decree pardoning 30 political prisoners, including 14 women and 16 men, and some of them have serious illnesses. A few days later, political prisoners began to leave the penal colonies on pardon. As of August 26, Viasna human rights activists know the names of 22 released political prisoners, 13 of whom are women, and nine are men.
More than 20 political prisoners were released on pardon, including Kseniya Lutskina and Vasil Berasneu
Human rights defenders do not publish the names of other released prisoners for their safety.
Political prisoner Kseniya Lutskina — 3 years, 7 months, and 29 days of imprisonment
The former journalist of the Belteleradiocompany was sentenced to eight years of penal colony. Until August 2020, Kseniya Lutskina worked at the Belteleradiocompany, and after the elections she joined the strike of the company's employees and resigned from the position of correspondent. Kseniya was accused of conspiracy or other actions committed with the aim of seizing state power.
In imprisonment, she began to have severe health problems: she has a tumor growing in her brain. A minor son was waiting for the journalist at home.
Political prisoner Vasil Berasneu — 2 years, 4 months, and 1 day of imprisonment
Vasil is the leader and the acting chairman of an independent trade union of Radioelectronic Industry Workers (REP) from Orša. Judge Anastasia Papko sentenced him to 9 years of imprisonment in a medium security penal colony.
Even during his stay in the pre-trial detention center, Vasil's health condition deteriorated significantly: he suffered from pain in his only kidney. The situation was so critical that medical treatment was useless, and a kidney transplant was needed.
Political prisoner Pavel Kuchynski — 2 years, 6 months, and 25 days of imprisonment
The Maladzečna resident has a disability: he has stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite his cancer, he was imprisoned for more than two years.
He was sentenced to five years in a penal colony, and according to the results of the appeal, the sentence was reduced by only three months. At the same time, the court did not consider the substitution of punishment for non-custodial punishment. In August, lawyers of Viasna, concerned about Pavel's health, prepared and sent an appeal to the UN working group on arbitrary detention.
Political prisoner Ala Zuyeva — 1 year, 2 months, and 1 day of imprisonment
The senior citizen with cancer was detained in June 2023. She was sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony under two defamation articles. Ala has leukemia, and the court did not take this into account when passing the sentence.
