Human Rights Defenders Recognize Six More Political Prisoners

Belarusian human rights organizations have issued a statement recognizing six more individuals as political prisoners.

The statement says that human rights defenders became aware of the detention and sentencing under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (group actions grossly violating public order) of Uladzislau Nastsiushkin, Maksim Lukashevich, and Artur Bilibukha; under Articles 342 and 368 of Vasil Prokharau; as well as the transfer of Uladzimir Novik and Anton Shulakouski to a correctional facility.

“We assess the prosecution of the above-mentioned individuals, deprived of liberty and accused of group actions grossly violating public order and mass riots, as politically motivated persecution in connection with their exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression of their opinion regarding the announced results of the presidential election of the Republic of Belarus, and we recognize them as political prisoners,” the statement says.

Human rights defenders call for the release of these individuals, as well as all other political prisoners, and for an end to repression.