Russian human rights organization Memorial expresses support to Ales Bialiatski

The persecution of Bialiatski can’t but be politically motivated. The criminal charges against him are fabricated in order to stop the unwanted professional activities of the human rights defender.

We are convinced that in the heavy political and economic conditions in which the Belarusian people lives, only honest criticism, conscientious work to uphold human rights principles can protect people from the violence and tyranny. Undoubtedly, this work was led by Ales Bialiatski and his colleagues from Viasna. For these very activities the organization was subject to persecution and repression, and its head is deprived of liberty. All supporters of the legal development of the situation in Belarus, in the region and in Europe as a whole must do everything possible to facilitate the release of Ales Bialiatski,
the continuation of activities of the Human Rights Center Viasna and the cessation of political repression of Lukashenka’s regime.

Memorial,  in its turn, expresses absolute and unconditional support to the principled and courageous position Ales Bialiatski.

We do not doubt his complete innocence and demand that Belarusian authorities immediately release the human rights activist, drop all charges against him and provide the Human Rights Center Viasna and all human rights activists in the country with the opportunity to continue human rights activities,. The politically motivated persecution must be stopped.