11 more people recognized as political prisoners over “extremism” charges and convictions

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

July 24, 2023

We, the representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, once again emphasize that deprivation of liberty and criminal responsibility for various protest activities are used by authorities to suppress social and political activity, dissent, and anti-war demonstrations. 

In 2021, criminal legislation was significantly tightened and supplemented with new types of crimes used by authorities exclusively for political repression. 

Out-of-court, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Committee (KGB) arbitrarily recognize groups of citizens united by social or political interests as extremist. These groups criticize the authorities’ actions and demand changes in the state and its policies. Some media organizations have also been recognized as extremist formations. This, in turn, paves the way for the arbitrary criminal prosecution and deprivation of liberty for their participants and respondents as disproportionate measures to restrict the right to association and freedom of expression. For instance: 

1. Mr. Kiryl Klimau has been convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to the initiatives By_help, BYSOL, and Honest People, and sentenced to four years of imprisonment in a penal colony.
2. Mr. Vasil Yakimau has been convicted under Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code for preparing to join an armed formation to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.
3. Mr. Ihar Satsiuk has been convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony.
4. Mr. Vital Yurenia has been convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony.
5. Ms. Volha Rybina has been taken into custody on charges under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist.
6. Mr. Aliaksandr Fikau has been taken into custody on charges under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist.
7. Mr. Aliaksandr Khmyl has been convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist.
8. Mr. Dzmitryi Seliadtsou has been taken into custody on charges under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist.
9. Mr. Pavel Kharitonau has been convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code for donations to initiatives recognized as extremist.
10. Mr. Maksim Drabnitsa has been convicted under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code for “participation in extremist formation” and Part 2 of Article 290-5 for “participation in a terrorist organization,” namely joining the Pieramoha plan and intent to damage railway tracks. He was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment in a penal colony and fined.
11. Mr. Mikita Brui, a minor, has been convicted on arbitrary charges of “rehabilitating Nazism” under Article 130-1 of the Criminal Code and “creating an extremist formation” under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code for posts in a protest Telegram group. He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a juvenile penal facility.

We recognize the individuals mentioned above as political prisoners in accordance with Section 3.1(a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”. We demand that the Belarusian authorities:

• Immediately release the political prisoners Mr. Kiryl Klimau, Mr. Vasil Yakimau, Mr. Ihar Satsiuk, Mr. Vital Yurenia, Ms. Volha Rybina, Mr. Aliaksandr Fikau, Mr. Aliaksandr Khmyl, Mr. Dzmitryi Seliadtsou, Mr. Pavel Kharitonau, Mr. Maksim Drabnitsa, Mr. Mikita Brui.
• Immediately release all political prisoners and cease political repression in the country.

Human Rights Center Viasna

Legal initiative

Lawtrend

Belarusian Association of Journalists

PEN Belarus

Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities