Another 12 People Recognized as Political Prisoners in Belarus

Reform.news Editorial Team · 2 October 2026, 17:43

https://reform.news/en/another-12-people-recognized-as-political-prisoners-in-belarus/

Another 12 people have been recognized as political prisoners in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported. They are Maksim Siamenchanka, Zhanna Yaskuld, Vital Dziamidchyk, Pavel Bazhko, Andrei Ausiannikau, Illia Halyhin, Vital Halavach, Jauhien Dzerunou, Andrei Tsiukou, Dzmitry Rudakou, Artsiom Merkel and Anatol Mindziyarau.

According to human rights defenders, Rudakou was imprisoned on charges of “slandering Lukashenka.” Merkel and Mindziyarau were tried for participating in protests under Articles 342 and 293 of the Criminal Code.

Another nine people were detained or sentenced to imprisonment in connection with interaction with “extremist groups” and the exercise of freedom of expression. They are Siamenchanka, Yaskuld, Dziamidchyk, Bazhko, Ausiannikau, Halyhin, Halavach, Dzerunou and Tsiukou.

According to Viasna, 888 people currently have political prisoner status in Belarus.