Number of political prisoners in Belarus reaches 956

December 25. Four more names have been added to Belarusian human rights defenders’ list of political prisoners in the country bringing their total to 956.

The people are Paviel Haljak, Uladzimir Sakaloŭski, Siarhej Nepahoda and Alieh Hruzdzilovič.

Mr. Hruzdzilovič is Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Journalist in Minsk. He is being investigated for organizing mass riots. A measure of restraint was chosen in the form of arrest.

Human rights defenders demand the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, as well as the release of all those detained for exercising the freedom of peaceful assembly in the wake of last year’s presidential election. They also demand an end to the Belarusian government’s political repression against its citizens.

Human rights defenders’ list of political prisoners includes BelaPAN news agency’s Director General Iryna Lieŭšyna, former Director General Dzmitryj Navazylaŭ, and former Deputy Director General Andrej Aliaksandraŭ.