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Two civil society activists sentenced to five years in prison
Siarhiej Salaš
September 15, Pozirk. Siarhiej Salaš and Dźmitryj Babicki have been sentenced to five years in prison each, apparently for their alleged association with Skład Butelek, a center that hosted cultural and art events in Barysaŭ, Minsk region, branded “extremist” by authorities.
The judge also ordered a fine of 36,000 rubels ($12,000) for each man and the confiscation of their “criminal income.”
Salaš was arrested in Barysaŭ on November 12, 2025, the day the Committee for State Security (KGB) designated Skład Butelek as an “extremist group,” naming the two men among its “members.” Babicki was arrested a month later.
In the 2000s, Salaš was an opposition activist who ran in elections and collected ballot-access signatures for opposition candidates. He later left politics in favor of civil society work.
Belarusian human rights organizations recognized both as political prisoners soon after their arrest.
Łukašenka denies holding political prisoners, Coale agrees Citibank should return frozen funds to Minsk
September 15, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka and US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale had a three-hour meeting in Minsk on Tuesday, with the Belarusian ruler’s press office reporting that he had denied the existence of political prisoners in Belarus, while …
