Viasna documents more than 500 instances of politically-motivated persecution in January

February 5, Pozirk. Viasna recorded at least 506 instances of politically-motivated persecution in Belarus in January, the human rights center said in its monthly report.
It emphasized that “the deep human rights crisis determined the context of the fake presidential election in Belarus: Alaksandar Łukašenka extended his rule and continues to retain state power.”
“The monitoring of all stages of the election campaign conducted by the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections allows us to conclude that the presidential election held on January 26 did not meet international standards for democratic and free elections, and was accompanied by numerous violations of the electoral legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Did not just the authorities exert administrative control over all stages of the electoral process, they organized them to simulate broad popular support for Alaksandar Łukašenka and keep him in power,” the report said.
At least 7,915 people have been subjected to criminal prosecution for political reasons since 2020, Viasna said.
At least 11 political prisoners have been held incommunicado for months, or even years: Maksim Znak (since February 8, 2023), Mikałaj Statkievič (since February 10, 2023), Maryja Kaleśnikava (since February 15, 2023), Ihar Łosik (since February 20, 2023), Siarhiej Cichanoŭski (since March 9, 2023), Viktar Babaryka (since April 26, 2023), Uładzimir Kniha (since September 5, 2023), Mikałaj Bańkoŭ (since December 2023), Andrej Navicki (since April 2024), Alaksandar Aranovič (since June 6, 2024) and Alaksandar Franckievič (since October 2024).
For two months, there has been no contact with political prisoner Dzianis Salmanovič, serving a 10-year sentence at the Vićba’s penal colony. There is no information about his condition or whereabouts.

Reprisals: ex-EY partner awaiting trial over politics
- PoliticsBelarusian ambassador presents credentials to Venezuelan leaderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyNearly half of Belarusians had disposable income below 1,000 rubelsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society, SportBelarusian biathletes not to participate in 2026 Winter OlympicsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyTaćciana Šytcova resigns as Cichanoŭskaja’s aide for education and scienceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsVon der Leyen to visit EU-Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus customs seize over 600 kg of psychoactive drugsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOfficials tackle staff shortages with heavier workloads for teachersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsDana Holdings avoids EU sanctions – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyHouseholds’ disposable income up 6.6 percent in Q2 – BiełstatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyGovernment extends ban on certain Lithuanian importsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: reports point to hundreds of arrests in Biełaruski Hajun caseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomySecurities depository says holds $28.34bn in shares and bondsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsPakistan to check workers it sends to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Politics, SocietyСourts hold 10 field sessions over livestock deaths in Viciebsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyUN committee calls on Belarus to take urgent measures to protect prisoner KulšaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOver 50 confirmed suspects in Biełaruski Hajun caseThe material is available only to POZIRK+