Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash
Belarusian human rights defenders have issued a statement recognising Pavel Shpak, Aliaksei Liaukevich, Mikhail Harbach, Tattiana Magnusava, Siarhei Pakhomau, Vitaly Abadenka, Siarhei Vasilieu, and Pyotr Asipenka as political prisoners.
Six of them have already been convicted under various articles of the Criminal Code that are used in Belarus for politically motivated persecution, including incitement of social hostility, insulting Alyaksandr Lukashenka, creation of an extremist formation, and participation in group actions that grossly violate public order, among others.
Siarhei Vasilieu and Pyotr Asipenka were also convicted under the article on treason.
Human rights defenders demand the release of these eight individuals, as well as all political prisoners, and an end to repression in the country.