Update on arrests, trials, politically-motivated persecution

July 31, BPN. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on July 30 as authorities are seeking to suppress every sign of dissent.

Arrests

Police arrested a young man for following opposition Telegram channels, a pro-government source said. He had served a jail term for taking part in protests, the source said.

Border guards arrested opposition activist Barys Chamajda in Rosica, Viciebsk region, Naša Niva reported. The 75-year-old was taken to Vierchniadźvinsk over his passport cover depicting the Pahonia coat of arms.

At least nine people are under arrest in Homel for following opposition content in social media and messengers, a pro-government Telegram channel said.

Criminal proceedings

The Minsk City Court sentenced former university instructor Michaił Bańkoŭ to four years in prison for donating money to opposition initiatives in 2020, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Jarasłaŭ Sakovič currently serving a two-year prison term for allegedly abusing the state symbols and illegally handling firearms will go on a new trial in Minsk on August 7, Viasna said. Authorities accuse him of high treason.

Other instances of persecution

A judge will consider a motion on August 4 to transfer Alaksiej Hłotaŭ from a medium-security penal colony to a closed prison. He is currently serving a 20-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

As of July 31, human rights defenders identified at least 1,474 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.