The statement on the recognition of six people as political prisoners

Statement by the human rights community of Belarus

February 27, 2025

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 Interior Ministry and the KGB arbitrarily recognize as extremist citizens' groups brought together by public or political interests that criticize the actions of the authorities and demand reforms in the state and its policies. Several media resources were recognized as extremist formations as well. This in turn paves the way for the arbitrary prosecution and imprisonment of their members and respondents as a disproportionate measure restricting the right to association and freedom of expression. Thus:

1. Yauhen Boika was taken into custody under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on the charge of facilitating extremist activities;

2. Aliaksandr Krauchuk was convicted under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code on the charge of facilitating extremist activities and sentenced to four years and six months of imprisonment in a penal colony;

3. Palina Pitkevich was taken into custody under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code on the charge of participating in extremist activities;

4. Artsiom Paliakou was convicted under articles 361-1 and 361-4 of the Criminal Code on charges of participating in an extremist group and facilitating extremist activities and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony;

5. Vadzim Senchanka was convicted under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code on the charge of financing extremist activities and sentenced to three years and six months of imprisonment in a penal colony;

6. Maksim Belchanka was convicted under articles 361-4 and 209 of the Criminal Code on charges of facilitating extremist activities and fraud and sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a penal colony;

We recognize the named individuals as political prisoners in accordance with paragraph 3.1 (a) of the Guidelines on the Definition of “Political Prisoner”, and demand that the Belarusian authorities:

• immediately release political prisoners Yauhen Boika, Aliaksandr Krauchuk, Palina Pitkevich, Artsiom Paliakou, Vadzim Senchanka, Maksim Belchanka;

• immediately release all political prisoners and stop political repression.

Human Rights Center Viasna;

Lawtrend;

Belarusian PEN;

Legal initiative;

Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House;

Belarusian Helsinki Committee;

Human Constanta.