In January, 50 people criminally convicted in political cases
In January, the Human Rights Center Viasna observed a continuing trend toward criminal prosecution and convictions of citizens for political reasons.
Activists have information about at least 50 citizens convicted in January, of which 13 are women and 37 are men.
Five citizens were convicted in absentia. Viasna is aware of 3 wanted defendants. In January, the court of appeals increased the sentences of two previously convicted citizens to a tougher punishment.
January sentences in numbers:
- 31 people were sentenced to a total of 111 years and 7 months of imprisonment
- 2 people were sentenced to a total of 4 years and 6 months of freedom restriction in open-type penal facilities
- 14 people were sentenced to a total of 31 years and 3 months under home confinement
- 3 people were sentenced to a total of 9 months of short-term imprisonment
- 7 people received fines totaling 82,510 Belarusian rubles (approx. $32,700) as an additional punishment to imprisonment
- 1 person was banned from government positions in the internal affairs bodies for 5 years
In January, the courts handed down custodial sentences in almost two-thirds (62%) of all cases. Another 4% of the sentences involved restriction of freedom in open-type facilities. Home confinement was ordered in 28% of all cases. In 6% of politically motivated cases, the court ordered the arrest, a short-term form of imprisonment.
Thus, various types of custodial and freedom-restricting sentences were handed down in all politically motivated cases in January 2023.
In December, 55 people criminally convicted in political cases
