At least 86 citizens convicted on political grounds in criminal cases in June

In June the Human Rights Center Viasna observed a continuing trend toward criminal prosecution of citizens for political reasons. Viasna human rights defenders are aware of at least 86 citizens convicted on political grounds in June. Of those, about 60.46% are men and 39.54% are women.

Of all June sentences known to human rights defenders, almost 43% were under the defamation articles, which the human rights community has long insisted on excluding from the Criminal Code. 35% were convicted under the articles on preparation of group actions grossly violating public order or active participation in them and mass riots.

In two cases, criminal proceedings for defamation were dropped. In one case, this was due to a change in legislation; in the other, the time limit for prosecution had expired.

Human rights defenders recorded that in June judges continued to impose penalties related to imprisonment and restriction of freedom on most of those involved in ‘protest’ criminal cases. June sentences in numbers:

• 30 people sentenced to a total of 109 years and 4 months of imprisonment;
• 22 people sentenced to a total of 53 years and 6 months of freedom restriction in an open penitentiary;
• 30 people sentenced to a total of 73 years and 6 months of freedom restriction under home confinement;
• 1 person sentenced to 3 months under arrest;
• 1 person received a fine of BYN 3,200 rubles (about USD 950) as the main punishment;
• 7 people received a fine of BYN 27,520 (about USD 8,150) as an additional punishment to a freedom restriction;
• The court ordered coercive measures and mental treatment with ordinary supervision for 2 people.

In June, the courts handed down custodial sentences in 34,89% of all cases. Another 25,59% of the sentences involved restriction of freedom in open-type penitentiaries. Home confinement was ordered in 34,89% of cases. Arrest (short-termed imprisonment) was used as a punishment in 1,17% of cases. Coercive measures and mental treatment were applied in 2.33% of cases.

Thus, various types of custodial sentences, freedom restrictions, arrests, and coercive measures were handed down in 98,87% of the politically motivated cases in June.