Фото: Andrew Keymaster, unsplash.com
In Belarus, at least 403 people have been convicted since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion for supporting Ukraine in one form or another, the Viasna Human Rights Centre reported.
Belarusian citizens and foreign nationals have been tried under articles on treason, espionage, and agent activity. They have also been prosecuted for expressing a desire to fight on Ukraine’s side, for providing financial support to the Kalinoŭski Regiment and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and for carrying out acts of sabotage on railways. For a year now, residents of Belarus have also been persecuted for sending information about the movement of Russian troops to the Belarusian Hajun project. At least 183 people have become defendants in this case.
According to Viasna, more than 200 people are currently in detention. Among those convicted are 71 women. Human rights defenders stress that the data reflect only cases known to them and that the actual number of instances of persecution may be significantly higher.
A total of 213 people were convicted under the article on “facilitating extremist activity.” These cases concern the transfer of photos and videos showing the movement of Russian military equipment.
Forty-one people were convicted under the article on treason. Sixteen foreign nationals were convicted of agent activity in Ukraine’s interests.
Thirty-four people were convicted under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism). These cases relate to sabotage on railways as well as at the Machulishchy airfield.
Forty-seven people were convicted for expressing a desire to fight on Ukraine’s side. Forty people were convicted for providing financial support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Kalinoŭski Regiment.
At present, human rights defenders have information on at least five Ukrainian citizens who are in detention under politically motivated sentences.