News on the topic: criminal prosecution
27.03.2021 Ongoing harassment of Viasna members
The authorities continue to summon and interrogate human rights defenders and journalists as part of a criminal investigation dubbed “The Viasna Case”. Over the past week, a dozen more activists have been questioned as witnesses in the case alleging Viasna’s involvement in the financing of the post-election protests.
25.03.2021 Three new political prisoners in Belarus
Joint statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community
24.03.2021 Journalist Dzianis Ivashyn is political prisoner
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
24.03.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Kubarau sentenced to 7 years on ‘rioting’ charges
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk handed down a verdict in the criminal case of political prisoner Dzmitry Kubarau, who was accused of organizing mass riots (Part 1 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code).
23.03.2021 Human rights groups insist on release and retrials for 10 more political prisoners
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
22.03.2021 Freedom for political prisoners Volha Zavadskaya and Mikhail Berkas!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
22.03.2021 Political prisoner Dzianis Chykaliou sentenced to 3 years of “khimiya”, released in the courtroom
Judge Alena Bushava sentenced Chykaliou to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (so called “khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom to await an appeal hearing.
19.03.2021 Political prisoner Yahor Suhoidz sentenced to 2 years in prison
The Centraĺny District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Yahor Suhoidz to two years in a general-security penal colony, after Judge Viktoryia Shabunia found him guilty under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code.
19.03.2021 Political prisoner Ihar Bantsar free after Hrodna court issues “khimiya” sentence
Judge Natallia Kozel of the Lieninski District Court of Hrodna has sentenced Ihar Bantsar, punk musician and activist, to one and a half years of restricted freedom in an open correctional facility (so called “khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom.
18.03.2021 Amnesty International: Life of hunger-striking prisoner at risk
Punk musician, Ihar Bantsar, has been on a hunger strike since 3 March to protest against his prolonged detention on trumped-up criminal charges. He has been imprisoned solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and he must be immediately and unconditionally released.
18.03.2021 Authorities step up pressure on Viasna activists
Several human rights defenders working with the Human Rights Center “Viasna” have been questioned in criminal proceedings over the past few days, as the authorities continue to investigate the organization’s alleged involvement in the financing of the post-election protests.
18.03.2021 Minsk courts convict two more political prisoners
Political prisoners Siarhei Bryl and Ivan Datsyshyn have been convicted in protest-related trials.
16.03.2021 Four new political prisoners in Belarus
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
16.03.2021 Political prisoner Aliaksei Melnikau sentenced to five years in prison on ‘rioting’ charges
On March 16, Judge Hanna Khvainitskaya of the Zavodski District Court of Minsk handed down a verdict in a criminal case political prisoner Aliaksei Melnikau, sentencing him to five years in a medium-security penal colony.
15.03.2021 Immediately release political prisoners Yuliya Bodak and Ihar Bantsar!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
