Belarusian human rights organizations have recognized eight more people as political prisoners. They are Dzmitry Vialau, Andrei Siarheyeu, Aleh Stefanovich, Andrei Latyshevich, Varvara Latyshevich, Ihar Sutyrka, Tatsiana Korsakava and Dzmitry Korsakau. As of June 30, the number of political prisoners in Belarus has reached 863, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center.
Dzmitry Vialau was sentenced to four years in prison under Articles 130, 367 and 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating an extremist group, inciting social hatred and slandering Lukashenka.
Andrei Siarheyeu was sentenced to imprisonment under Articles 361-3(1) and 361-4 of the Criminal Code for participating in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression and for facilitating an “extremist group.”
Aleh Stefanovich was sentenced to imprisonment under Article 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion) and Article 361-1 (creating or participating in an extremist group).
Ihar Sutyrka has been placed in pretrial detention on what human rights defenders describe as arbitrary charges of high treason under Article 356 of the Criminal Code.
Tatsiana Korsakava and Dzmitry Korsakau were sentenced to 12 and 14 years in prison, respectively, on charges of high treason, illegal cross-border transportation, and other unlawful activities involving firearms, ammunition and explosives under Articles 356, 295 and 333-1 of the Criminal Code.
Human rights defenders also reported that Andrei Latyshevich and Varvara Latyshevich, who were involved in defending the rights of children affected by armed conflict, have been placed in pretrial detention on what they describe as arbitrary charges of serious and especially serious crimes.