News on the topic: political prisoners
26.01.2021 Political prisoner Yan Salanovich released
Yan Salanovich, a former university student and employee of the KGB’s research and technology center, has been released after spending 87 days in detention. The authorities failed to provide explanation for the unexpected decision.
22.01.2021 5 more arrested protesters called political prisoners
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski sentenced to 2 years of restricted freedom on defamation charges
Judge Tatsiana Pirozhnikava of the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski to two years’ imprisonment in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). He was found guilty of “publicly insulting an official in connection with the performance of his official duties” (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). Kulakouski was released from custody immediately after the verdict was announced, but will remain under travel restrictions pending appeal hearings.
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts sentenced to three years of restricted freedom
Judge Alena Zhyvitsa of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”), finding him guilty under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
22.01.2021 24 and 18 months in prison: court convicts political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach
Political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach were sentenced today to 2 years and 1 ½ years, respectively, in a general security penal colony. Judge Volha Niaborskaya of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk found them guilty on all counts.
21.01.2021 Political prisoner Yury Savitski sentenced to 3 years in labor camp, released in courtroom pending appeal
The Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today Yury Savitski, member of Viktar Babaryka’s nomination group, to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). Savitski was found guilty of “organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order” (Art. 342 of the Criminal Code) for participating in a post-election protest on August 9. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
21.01.2021 BHC and Viasna highlight violations in Viktar Babaryka case ahead of upcoming trial
On January 18, the media reported that a criminal case against political prisoner and former Belgazprombank CEO Viktar Babaryka, who has been in custody for eight months, had been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office and was soon expected to be heard at the Supreme Court.
21.01.2021 Civic Solidarity Platform calls for the release of Andrei Aliaksandrau
The undersigned organisations, members of the Civic Solidarity Platform, express their alarm at the arrest of our friend and colleague, journalist Andrei Aliaksandrau.
20.01.2021 Freedom for human rights activists Leanid Sudalenka and Maryia Tarasenka!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
20.01.2021 German and Irish MPs adopt Anastasiya Bulybenka, Tatsiana Yakelchyk and Aliaksei Sanchuk
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Carina Konrad (FDP), Neale Richmond T.D. (Fine Gael) and Denis Naughten T.D. (Independent) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
18.01.2021 Immediately release political prisoners Andrei Aliaksandrau and Iryna Zlobina!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
16.01.2021 HRDs call for retrials in cases of political prisoners Dzmitry Karatkevich, Andrei Tsimafeyenka and Siarhei Yafimau
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
16.01.2021 Support has no boundaries: how to write letters to political prisoners if you are outside of Belarus
Viasna has prepared the answers to the most frequent questions foreigners ask when writing letters to political prisoners.
15.01.2021 Political prisoner Artsiom Miadzvedski sentenced to three years of “restricted freedom”, released in the courtroom
Judge Tatsiana Shotsik of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Artsiom Miadzvedski to three years of “restricted freedom” in an open-type penal facility, so called “khimiya”. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
15.01.2021 Members of the Swiss National Council and the British House of Lords take over godparenthood for Mikalai Dziadok and Stsiapan Latypau
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Tamara Funiciello (SP) and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour Party) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
