News on the topic: political prisoners
15.01.2021 Political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski sentenced to one year in prison
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski to one year in a general security penal colony. Khvashcheuski was found guilty of “organizing group actions which gravely breach public order” (Article 342 of the Criminal Code).
14.01.2021 Statement on recognizing five members of Press Club Belarus as political prisoners
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
12.01.2021 Members of the German Bundestag take over godparenthood for Yury Bialko and David Mastsitski
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Christoph Matschie (SPD) and Alexander Krauß (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
11.01.2021 9 new political prisoners in Belarus
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
06.01.2021 In 2020, more than 100 people were convicted in politically motivated criminal cases
In the last two months of 2020, dozens of criminal cases finally reached courts. Viasna has been able to track at least 103 sentences handed down in criminal cases related to the events that took place during and after the August 9 presidential election.
31.12.2020 Three more German MPs take over godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Erhard Grundl (Bündnis90/The Greens), Maria Klein-Schmeink (Bündnis90/The Greens) and Gunther Krichbaum (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners Tsimur Pipiya, Tamaz Pipiya and Artsiom Vinakurau.
29.12.2020 Political prisoners Kireshchanka and Harokh sentenced to 1 1/2 and 7 years in prison
The Court of Navahrudak district sentenced today Dzianis Kireshchanka and Uladzimir Harokh to 18 months and 7 years in prison, respectively, finding them guilty of “organizing riots” (Parts 1 and 3 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). Both were earlier called political prisoners by the country’s leading human rights groups, including Viasna.
29.12.2020 #WeStandBYyou: New godparents for political prisoners in Belarus
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Gregor Gysi (The Left), Gabriela Heinrich (SPD), Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP), Tomasz Frankowski (PO), Frank Junge (SPD) and Ingmar Jung (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners Yauhen Kakhanouski, Yahor Suhoidz, Aliaksandr Kisialiou, Maryia Kalenik, Ihar Prazhennikau and Pavel Niadbaila.
28.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Siarhei Hardziyevich and Dzmitry Kulakouski
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
28.12.2020 Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova to remain in pre-trial detention until at least January 17
Marfa Rabkova’s pre-trial custody has been extended by one more month, after over 90 days in detention, according to a decision by the city Prosecutor’s Office dated December 17. As a result, the manager of Viasna’s network of volunteers will remain in prison until at least January 17.
25.12.2020 Viktar Pantsialeyeu, Uladzimir Harokh and Dzmitry Lastouski "adopted" by German MPs
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Norbert Altenkamp (CDU), Johannes Vogel (FDP) and Sylvia Lehmann (SPD) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
25.12.2020 Seven more protesters called political prisoners
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
24.12.2020 HRDs demand to release political prisoner Natallia Hershe
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
23.12.2020 Statement on sentencing of political prisoners Aliaksei Ramanau and Mikalai Charniauski
Belarusian human rights defenders call to decriminalize defamation, put an end to judicial harassment and release all political prisoners convicted of slandering or insulting officials or the president, as well as insulting state symbols
22.12.2020 Three protesters convicted in traffic obstruction trial
The Lieninski District Court of Minsk ruled today to sentence Volha Klaskouskaya to two years in prison on charges of “blocking vehicular traffic” during a demonstration on October 13. Two more defendants, Artur Bulauski and a minor Maksim Babich, were sentenced to two and a half and three years of restricted liberty (“home imprisonment”).
