News on the topic: criminal prosecution
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts sentenced to three years of restricted freedom
Judge Alena Zhyvitsa of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Valery Kalenchyts to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”), finding him guilty under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
22.01.2021 24 and 18 months in prison: court convicts political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach
Political prisoners Safiya Malashevich and Tsikhan Kliukach were sentenced today to 2 years and 1 ½ years, respectively, in a general security penal colony. Judge Volha Niaborskaya of the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk found them guilty on all counts.
21.01.2021 Political prisoner Yury Savitski sentenced to 3 years in labor camp, released in courtroom pending appeal
The Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk sentenced today Yury Savitski, member of Viktar Babaryka’s nomination group, to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). Savitski was found guilty of “organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order” (Art. 342 of the Criminal Code) for participating in a post-election protest on August 9. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
21.01.2021 BHC and Viasna highlight violations in Viktar Babaryka case ahead of upcoming trial
On January 18, the media reported that a criminal case against political prisoner and former Belgazprombank CEO Viktar Babaryka, who has been in custody for eight months, had been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office and was soon expected to be heard at the Supreme Court.
21.01.2021 Civic Solidarity Platform calls for the release of Andrei Aliaksandrau
The undersigned organisations, members of the Civic Solidarity Platform, express their alarm at the arrest of our friend and colleague, journalist Andrei Aliaksandrau.
20.01.2021 Freedom for human rights activists Leanid Sudalenka and Maryia Tarasenka!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
20.01.2021 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders condemns arbitrary detention of Viasna members Leanid Sudalenka and Maria Tarasenka
The Observatory has been informed by the Human Rights Center “Viasna” about the arbitrary detention of Leanid Sudalenka, lawyer of the Homieĺ (Gomel) branch of Viasna, and Maria Tarasenka, Viasna’s volunteer and Mr. Sudalenka’s assistant.
19.01.2021 Leanid Sudalenka: “My arrest was lawless. I guess my release will be as lawless!”
Viasna’s human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka left this message on the situation related to the charges he is facing marked “Publish after arrest”.
19.01.2021 Viasna’s Leanid Sudalenka held on criminal charges
Leanid Sudalenka, a human rights activist and head of Viasna’s branch in Homieĺ, was detained last morning, January 18, according to local activist Vasil Paliakou. Sudalenka was then taken to the Investigative Committee’s city office for questioning.
18.01.2021 Immediately release political prisoners Andrei Aliaksandrau and Iryna Zlobina!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
16.01.2021 HRDs call for retrials in cases of political prisoners Dzmitry Karatkevich, Andrei Tsimafeyenka and Siarhei Yafimau
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
15.01.2021 Political prisoner Artsiom Miadzvedski sentenced to three years of “restricted freedom”, released in the courtroom
Judge Tatsiana Shotsik of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Artsiom Miadzvedski to three years of “restricted freedom” in an open-type penal facility, so called “khimiya”. The convict was released in the courtroom to await appeal hearing.
15.01.2021 Political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski sentenced to one year in prison
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Artsiom Khvashcheuski to one year in a general security penal colony. Khvashcheuski was found guilty of “organizing group actions which gravely breach public order” (Article 342 of the Criminal Code).
14.01.2021 Statement on recognizing five members of Press Club Belarus as political prisoners
Joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations
12.01.2021 Members of the German Bundestag take over godparenthood for Yury Bialko and David Mastsitski
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Christoph Matschie (SPD) and Alexander Krauß (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.










