The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

26.02.2021 Political prisoner Yauhen Dzmitryeu sentenced to two years in prison

A 26-year-old political prisoner Yauhen Dzmitryeu was sentenced today by the Centraĺny District Court of Minsk to two years in a penal colony on charges of “violating public order” (Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code). The charge stems from the events of October 4, when a water cannon was broken during a protest in Minsk.

25.02.2021 We demand the immediate release of political prisoners Maryia Safonava and Andrei Sysun

Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations

25.02.2021 Political prisoner Aliaksandr Kisialiou convicted in Žlobin

Judge Yauhen Yerafeyeu of the Žlobin District Court has sentenced political prisoner Aliaksandr Kisialiou to three years in prison, finding him guilty of “violating public order” (Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code) and “threat of violence or violence against a law enforcement officer” (Art. 364 of the Criminal Code).

25.02.2021 Dead protester convicted of attempted murder

Henadz Shutau, a protester killed in Brest on August 11, has been found guilty of attempting to murder a law enforcement officer, according to a ruling by the Brest Regional Court. His friend, Aliaksandr Kardziukou, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the same charge.

25.02.2021 Political prisoner Maryna Hlazava sentenced to 18 months of ‘home imprisonment’

The Lieninski District Court of Brest has handed down the first verdicts in the criminal case of the “dancing protest” held on September 13. The case was opened under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code and involved dozens of people.

23.02.2021 Political prisoner Uladzislau Zianevich sentenced to 3 years of restricted freedom

Judge Maryna Zapasnik of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced political prisoner Uladzislau Zianevich to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (so-called “khimiya”), finding him guilty under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. The convict was released in the courtroom pending an appeal hearing.

19.02.2021 More protesters convicted in political trials

Courts in Minsk sentenced today political prisoners Ivan Krasouski, Volha Paulava and Liavon Khalatran to terms of restricted freedom (so-called “khimiya”), finding them guilty of “breaching public order” during the unprecedented wave of protests triggered by the fraudulent presidential election of August 2020.

19.02.2021 Political prisoner Mikhail Zhamchuzhny walks free after 6 ½ years in prison

Mikhail Zhamchuzhny, a 65-year-old political prisoner and human rights activist, was released this morning from penal colony No. 9 in the city of Horki, Mahilioŭ region, RFE/RL’s Belarus service said.

18.02.2021 Belsat TV journalists sentenced to 2 years in prison

Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreyeva) and Darya Chultsova, journalists working with the Belsat TV channel, were sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment in a general-security penitentiary each, after Judhe Natallia Buhuk of the Frunzienski District Court of Minsk found them today guilty of involvement in “group actions gravely breaching public order” (Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code).

17.02.2021 Political prisoner Ihar Prazhennikau sentenced to 1.5 years in prison

Judge Yuliya Chyzh of the Frunzienski District Court of Minsk has sentenced political prisoner Ihar Prazhennikau to one and a half years in a general-security penal colony under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code.

16.02.2021 Political prisoner Andrei Papou sentenced to five years in prison

Judge Anzhela Kastsiukevich of the Zavodski District Court of Minsk has sentenced political prisoner Andrei Papou to five years in a medium-security penal colony, finding him guilty under Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code (rioting).

16.02.2021 BAJ, Viasna under attack

At least 25 human rights defenders, mostly working with the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, have been either detained or targeted in police raids this morning. Several offices were searched, both in Minsk and across Belarus, including Viasna’s office in Minsk.

15.02.2021 10 more arrested protesters declared political prisoners

Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus

15.02.2021 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders condemns new charges against Viasna coordinator Marfa Rabkova

The Observatory has been informed about the new criminal charges against Maria (a.k.a Marfa) Rabkova, Coordinator of volunteer services at the Human Rights Center “Viasna”.