Activists harassed over solidarity with political prisoner
Activists demanding freedom for political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka. Minsk, 13 May 2017
Former political prisoner Viachaslau Kasinerau and Viasna’s volunteer Anisiya Hurskaya will have to appear at the police department on suspicion of involvement in an illegal protest.
The activists are accused of wearing T-shirts demanding freedom for political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka during a cycling marathon “Viva Rovar!” held on May 13 in Minsk.
Kasinerau and Hurskaya received phone calls from a police officer who asked questions about the event, including their alleged participation in illegal protesting.
The activists have not yet faced formal charges, but are expected to be summoned to the police in the near future.
On April 7, the Zavodski District Court in Minsk canceled the suspension of an earlier sentence handed down to activist Dzmitry Paliyenka and ordered a 18-month imprisonment in a minimum-security penal colony. Human rights activists believe that the persecution of Paliyenka is politically motivated, calling him a political prisoner and requesting his immediate release.
