Another nine people have been recognized as political prisoners in Belarus, the Viasna human rights center reported.
Among them are Vitaliy Kaleda, convicted under several articles of the Criminal Code, including “insulting a government official” and “inciting social hatred”; Barys Kritski, sentenced to seven years in prison for facilitating an extremist formation; and defendants in the “courtyard chats” case — Anzhela Aharok, Iryna Yakavleva, Viktoryia Hrynko, and Volha Varabyeva, who received prison terms ranging from eight to nine years under an article on conspiracy “to seize state power.”
Uladzimir Zakharau was convicted, among other charges, of “discrediting Belarus,” while Volha Kharlamava is in custody on charges of “treason.” Uladzislau Vakulchyk remains in detention after the expiration of his sentence.
According to Viasna, a total of 898 people currently hold political prisoner status in Belarus.
