Фото: unsplash.com
Belarusian human rights defenders have recognised 12 more people as political prisoners. They are Dzmitry Vyalau, Andrei Siarheeu, Aleh Stefanovich, Lidziya Atamanyuk, Viktar Nikifarau, Mikalai Lanevich, Andrei Latyshevich, Varvara Latyshevich, Mikalai Pashkou, Ihar Sutyrka, Tatsiana Korsakava and Dzmitry Korsakau. As of June 30, the number of political prisoners had reached 863, according to the Viasna Human Rights Centre.
Vyalau was sentenced to four years in a penal colony under Articles 130, 367 and 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating an extremist formation, inciting other forms of social hatred, and slandering Lukashenka.
Siarheeu was sentenced to imprisonment under Part 1 of Article 361-3 and Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code for taking part in Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression and for facilitating an “extremist formation.”
Stefanovich was sentenced to imprisonment under Article 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion) and Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creating or participating in an extremist formation).
Sutyrka has been placed in pretrial detention on arbitrary charges of high treason under Article 356 of the Criminal Code.
Korsakava and Korsakau were sentenced to 12 and 14 years in a penal colony, 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 have also learned that Atamanyuk, Nikifarau, Lanevich, Latyshevich, Varvara Latyshevich and Pashkou have been placed in pretrial detention for their human rights work protecting the rights of children affected by armed conflict, on arbitrary charges of serious and especially serious crimes.