News on the topic: criminal prosecution
27.09.2020 Marfa Rabkova faces formal charges
Viasna activist Marfa Rabkova has been officially charged under Part 3, Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (training or other preparation of persons for participation in mass riots, or financing of such activities). She remains in custody in pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk.
25.09.2020 UN human rights experts: Belarus must release opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava
UN human rights experts today called on Belarus to release prominent opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, and to bring to justice those responsible for her enforced disappearance.
25.09.2020 HRDs demand immediate release of political prisoner Stsiapan Latypau
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
25.09.2020 Urgent action by Amnesty International: Release human rights defender Marfa Rabkova
Woman human rights defender Marfa Rabkova was detained as a criminal suspect under false pretext on the evening of 17 September, by officers of the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBAZIK). Her husband Vadzim Zharomski was also detained but released shortly after. Marfa Rabkova may face criminal charges. She is a prisoner of conscience, targeted solely for her peaceful human rights work and must be immediately and unconditionally released.
24.09.2020 Amnesty International calls to release prisoner of conscience Maryia Kalesnikava
Belarusian authorities abducted opposition leader Maryia Kalesnikava on 7 September. After she resisted expulsion from Belarus she was detained and, on 16 September, charged with “undermining national security”. The authorities are rushing her prosecution to make it a precedent and serve as a warning to all peaceful protesters, for whom she has become a symbol of resistance, dignity and courage. Maryia Kalesnikava is a prisoner of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally.
23.09.2020 Nasha Niva editor held on libel charges
Yahor Martsinovich, editor-in-chief of Nasha Niva, a popular online news site, was detained this morning by Belarusian security officers. His apartment was searched by the Interior Ministry’s Directorate of Internal Security.
22.09.2020 Over 250 criminal cases opened since launch of election
Since the announcement of the presidential election in early May, the authorities have opened over 250 criminal cases targeting presidential candidates, members of their campaign teams, and peaceful protesters. Viasna knows the names of 200 persons affected by these cases.
21.09.2020 Front Line Defenders urges Belarus to release Marfa Rabkova
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the detention of Marfa (Maria) Rabkova as well as the harassment of her husband Vadzim Zharomski.
21.09.2020 Viasna activist Marfa Rabkova is political prisoner
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
19.09.2020 Arrested lawyer Maksim Znak declares hunger strike to protest criminal charges
Maksim Znak, lawyer and member of the presidium of the Coordination Council, has been officially charged under Part 3 of Art. 361 (calls for actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus) of the Criminal Code. In an act of protest, the arrested lawyer went on a hunger strike, according to his counsel Dzmitry Layeuski.
18.09.2020 Amnesty International: Marfa Rabkova and all prisoners of conscience must be immediately and unconditionally released
The Belarusian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender, Marfa Rabkova, and all those detained as criminal suspects on false charges and solely for exercising their human rights. They must also stop immediately the practice of arbitrary arrest and unlawful deprivation of freedom and holding detainees incommunicado for hours and even days – a practice which they have been widely using against their opponents in recent weeks.
18.09.2020 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders calls to release Viasna's Marfa Rabkova
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH, requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Belarus.
18.09.2020 Viasna’s volunteer coordinator arrested on criminal charges
Maryia Rabkova, coordinator of Viasna’s network of volunteers, was detained last evening in Minsk.
18.09.2020 Hands off Marfa, hands off Viasna!
Statement by the Board of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" in connection with the detention of Marfa Rabkova
17.09.2020 12 more persons called political prisoners over "rioting" charges
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
