Infographics: Political prisoners in Belarus

Today, Belarusian prisons hold six political prisoners.

A week ago, the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, the Swiss-German association Libereco and Freedom House launched a joint online petition to the President of Belarus Lukashenka urging him to release all political prisoners in Belarus. The existence of political prisoners and the persecution of dissidents are serious violations of human rights.

Human rights defenders report increased pressure on political prisoners ahead of the presidential election in November. In particular, Mikalai Dziadok was sentenced to an additional year for “violation of serving the punishment” (Art. 411 of the Criminal Code) just three days before the expiration of his sentence. On May 27, Yury Rubtsou will stand trial under Article 415 of the Criminal Code, “evasion of serving the punishment of restraint of liberty”. Artsiom Prakapenka was denied clemency, Mikalai Statkevich was recognized malicious offender and transferred to prison, Ihar Alinevich has been repeatedly put in a punishment cell.