News on the topic: freedom of peaceful assembly
20.04.2021 Three years of home confinement for mother of three: political prisoner Hanna Sunhurava convicted
The Pieršamajskaha District Court of Minsk has handed down a verdict in the criminal case of political prisoner Hanna Sunhurava. She was accused of committing a crime under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
09.04.2021 Political prisoner Vital Shcherbich sentenced to four years in prison
Judge Anzhela Kastsiukevich of the Zavodski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Vital Shcherbich to four years in a medium-security penal colony, finding him guilty of preparing for mass riots (Part 1 of Art. 13 and Part 2 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code).
07.04.2021 Human rights groups insist on release and retrials for 15 more political prisoners
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
07.04.2021 Political prisoner Aliaksandra Patrasayeva sentenced to three years of “home imprisonment”, released in the courtroom
Judge Volha Malashenka of the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk has sentenced political prisoner Aliaksandra Patrasayeva to three years of restricted freedom known as “home imprisonment”. The convict was released in the courtroom.
05.04.2021 Political prisoner Kiryl Paulavets convicted, released from custody
Judge Maryna Fiodarava of the Saviecki District Court of Minsk has sentenced political prisoner Kiryl Paulavets to three years in an open penitentiary (“khimiya”), finding him guilty under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them).
01.04.2021 Sisters sentenced to prison terms in political trial
Judge Aliaksandr Volk of the Saviecki District Court of Minsk has sentenced Anastasiya and Viktoryia Mirontsava, both political prisoners, to two and two and a half years in prison, respectively, finding the sisters guilty of “breaching public order” (Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code) and “using violence against police officers” (Part 1 of Art. 363).
31.03.2021 Political prisoners sentenced to “khimiya” terms in Maladziečna
The Maladziečna District Court has announced its verdict in a trial involving six people who blocked a street on November 21.
30.03.2021 Belarus: Older people impacted by state repression
The Belarusian authorities have endangered the health of older protesters who are at higher risk from COVID-19 by transporting them in overcrowded police buses and incarcerating them in packed prison cells, Amnesty International said today. In a new briefing, the organization documented the arrest and ill treatment of dozens of older people who took part in peaceful protests, including one 83-year-old man who was made to stand facing a wall for 90 minutes with his arms raised.
26.03.2021 Over 200 detained on Freedom Day
More than two hundred people were detained yesterday across the country, the Interior Ministry said in its official Telegram channel. Viasna knows the names of 172 protesters arrested in various cities, including 110 in Minsk.
24.03.2021 Government’s threats and history of crackdown on protesters require urgent international response
Statements made by the Belarusian authorities ahead of demonstrations planned for 25 March (Freedom Day) raise serious concerns that the police response will yet again be marked by severe violence, Amnesty International said today, as it called for international action to protect the rights of peaceful protesters.
22.03.2021 Political prisoner Dzianis Chykaliou sentenced to 3 years of “khimiya”, released in the courtroom
Judge Alena Bushava sentenced Chykaliou to three years of restricted freedom in an open penitentiary (so called “khimiya”). The convict was released in the courtroom to await an appeal hearing.
19.03.2021 Political prisoner Yahor Suhoidz sentenced to 2 years in prison
The Centraĺny District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Yahor Suhoidz to two years in a general-security penal colony, after Judge Viktoryia Shabunia found him guilty under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code.
18.03.2021 Minsk courts convict two more political prisoners
Political prisoners Siarhei Bryl and Ivan Datsyshyn have been convicted in protest-related trials.
16.03.2021 Political prisoner Aliaksei Melnikau sentenced to five years in prison on ‘rioting’ charges
On March 16, Judge Hanna Khvainitskaya of the Zavodski District Court of Minsk handed down a verdict in a criminal case political prisoner Aliaksei Melnikau, sentencing him to five years in a medium-security penal colony.
10.03.2021 9 people convicted in Brest ‘rioting’ trial
On March 10, the Maskoŭski District Court of Brest has sentenced nine people to various terms of imprisonment ranging between 3 and 4 1/2 years on charges of involvement in “mass riots” (Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code) on August 10, 2020. The convicts include seven political prisoners.
