Another 78 people have been granted the status of “former political prisoner,” the human rights center Viasna reports.
Human rights defenders note that cases of politically motivated persecution often become known only shortly before or after a person’s release, which is why such individuals are not always recognized as political prisoners while in detention.
“Those convicted and detained solely for expressing their opinions, without signs of direct calls for violence or non-symbolic destruction of property, and not linked to actual destruction or damage of property, as well as for participation in peaceful assemblies, fully and unconditionally met these criteria during their deprivation of liberty. Their release from custody, house arrest, or after serving their sentences leaves unresolved the issues of reviewing their verdicts with a view to full annulment, their rehabilitation, and compensation for the harm caused by arbitrary conviction,” Viasna said.
The following individuals have been recognized as former political prisoners:
Viktar Andrashchuk, Maksim Aurenyeu, Yury Vasileuski, Aliaksei Vishneuski, Aliaksandr Vaitko, Yauhen Valakitsin, Yahor Zhavoronak, Pavel Zhadzinets, Natallia Zaharelskaya, Alla Zakharava, Yury Zaleski, Katsiaryna Zhaltanoga, Dzmitry Zhalniaruk, Uladzimir Haranski, Timafei Halubok, Artsiom Dangizian, Maksim Dziarneika, Uladzislau Zinkevich, Mikalai Kavtsevich, Kiryl Kaeshka, Dziyana Karankevich, Ruslan Kiryliuk, Kiryl Kiriyenka, Leanid Klimau, Andrei Kabiak, Anton Kazachenka, Siarhei Kazlou, Andrei Kanapatski, Karina Kananovich, Vital Kachanouski, Aliaksei Kravchenka, Siarhei Kulinevich, Aliaksei Kulbakou, Aliaksandr Kuchynski, Liutsyia Labazinskaya, Pavel Laurynovich, Pavel Lechchylau, Mikita Liapeshka, Mark Lukapiorau, Mikhail Masalevich, Dzmitry Matvienka, Kiryl Matsias, Dzmitry Margol, Siarhei Muraveika, Maksim Niabozhyn, Ilya Nemets, Maksim Nikitsenka, Ruslan Alesiuk, Ihar Astapuk, Dzianis Piatrou, Aliaksandr Padzko, Volha Padzko, Pavel Plyushcheuski, Alena Radzevich, Dzianis Ramanenka, Dzmitry Roslikau, Aliaksandr Salangin, Aliaksandr Svistunou, Andrei Seniukovich, Aliaksandr Sidarevich, Uladzislau Sichkar, Natallia Sliaptsova, Dzianis Sarokin, Mikalai Ulasik, Dzmitry Tsimafeeu, Eduard Tsimashchenia, Ivan Fedarouski, Uladzimir Khmura, Anton Khvedchenia, Aliaksandr Khudzichau, Siarhei Tsyhankou, Siarhei Chapieha, Pavel Chyrun, Marina Shalyma, Dzmitry Shaplyka, Tatstsiana Shchetka, Siarhei Yarotski, Artsiom Yarmak.
