The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

18.10.2019 Belarusian Activist Slashes His Arm In Court Protest

A Belarusian civil society activist and former prisoner of conscience has slashed his hand in a courtroom to protest against his closed-door trial, which rights activists called politically motivated.

17.10.2019 Belarus: Politically motivated trial against former prisoner of conscience starts behind closed doors

The Belarusian authorities must uphold the right of former prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka to a fair trial and ensure his hearing is open to the public, Amnesty International said ahead of the start of his trial on 17 October.

24.09.2019 Human rights activists demand open trial in Dzmitry Paliyenka case

The trial in the criminal case of anarchist activist Dzmitry Paliyenka has been scheduled for September 25. The hearing will be held behind closed doors at the Minsk City Court.

14.08.2019 Dzmitry Paliyenka case brought to trial

The case of former political prisoner and Amnesty International’s prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka has been submitted to the Minsk City Court. The trial will open in early September.

09.07.2019 Critical blogger cleared of embezzlement charges

The Investigative Committee’s office in the city of Biaroza, Brest region, has closed the criminal case against blogger Aliaksandr Kabanau, known for his role in covering the environmental protests in Brest. He was suspected of misappropriation of more than 400 rubles (USD 200) under Art. 211, Part 1 of the Criminal Code.

18.04.2019 Critical blogger awarded heavy fine in police defamation trial

Blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin has been found guilty of slander and insult in a trial that was completed today in Brest.

09.04.2019 Belsat TV office raided by police

Police officers have searched the Minsk-based office of the TV channel Belsat, Belarusian Association of Journalists said.

08.04.2019 Dzmitry Paliyenka facing triple charge

Former political prisoner Dzmitry Paliyenka, who was arrested on March 20 on suspicion of committing a crime under Part 3, Art. 339 of the Criminal Code (especially malicious hooliganism), has been eventually formally charged, according to the activist’s friend Maryna Kasinerava.

02.04.2019 Immediately stop prosecution of blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin

Joint statement by human rights and other civil society organizations

21.03.2019 Human rights defenders alarmed by unprecedented attack on critical bloggers

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” is concerned about the situation of blogger Andrei Pavuk, who was arrested on March 20.

20.03.2019 Former prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka arrested in criminal case

Former political prisoner and Amnesty International’s prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka has been arrested in Minsk this morning on suspicion of committing a crime under Article 339, Part 3 of the Criminal Code (“especially malicious hooliganism”).

04.03.2019 TUT.BY chief editor Maryna Zolatava convicted and fined $3,825

The Zavadski District Court of Minsk announced the verdict to TUT.BY chief editor Maryna Zolatava accused of omission of an executive.

25.02.2019 Public prosecutor demands a fine of 1000 base values for Maryna Zolatava

Oral arguments took place today in the trial of Maryna Zolatava, TUT.BY chief editor.

19.02.2019 Maryna Zolatava gives testimony in court

The Zavadski District Court of Minsk continues the criminal trial of TUT.BY chief editor accused of omission of an executive. On February 19, the court questioned Maryna Zolatava as a defendant.