{"id":113440,"date":"2024-11-12T16:04:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T13:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/113440\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"western-diplomats-call-for-release-of-political-prisoners-on-activists-murder-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/113440\/","title":{"rendered":"Western diplomats call for release of political prisoners on activist\u2019s murder anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n November 10 tribute in Vilnius\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

November 12, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Western diplomats accredited in Belarus have signed a joint statement, urging the authorities to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appeal has been timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of peaceful activist Raman Bandarenka’s death in custody following a severe beating by those who arrested him. The activist\u2019s death sparked a massive public outcry and protests across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeven political prisoners have died in Belarusian detention since 2020. Too many lives have been cut short. We remember these victims,\u201d reads the statement signed by embassies of Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bandarenka\u2019s death has not been investigated and no charges have been brought against those responsible for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video footage and the recordings of phone conversations, published by the Cyberpartisans hacktivist group in August 2022, implicated Natalla Ejsmant, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s spokeswoman; D\u017amitryj Baska\u016d, a member of the Council of the Republic; and D\u017amitryj \u0160akuta, a professional kickboxer, in the assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, at least seven designated political prisoners died behind bars in Belarus: Vitold A\u0161urak, Mika\u0142aj Klimovi\u010d, Ale\u015b Pu\u0161kin, Vadzim Chra\u015bko, Ihar Lednik, Alaksandar Kulini\u010d and Dmitry Shletgauer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cViolence is the method the regime and its accomplices use today\u201d to hold on to power, said \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja in her appeal on the anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian opposition leader took part in a rally in downtown Vilnius on November 10 to pay tribute to Bandarenka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of November 12, human rights defenders identified at least 1,279 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"