Human rights defenders declare seven political prisoners

June 26, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have declared seven people political prisoners, stressing that they were charged with public order offenses for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression after the disputed presidential vote.

The Viasna center, Lawtrend and other organizations called on the authorities to release these and other protesters and to stop reprisals against Belarusians.

Viasna has identified 1,500 current political prisoners, including the new additions.

The seven designations are:

1. Patrycyja Śvicina
2. Jaŭhien Hryńkoŭ
3. Andrej Kastko
4. Anastasija Sierhijenia
5. Alaksiej Krasnahir
6. Anton Skvarčeŭski
7. Hałymžan Bakiraŭ