{"id":88524,"date":"2024-06-03T12:58:16","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T09:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/88524\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"rights-groups-demand-29-former-political-prisoners-be-exonerated","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/88524\/","title":{"rendered":"Rights groups demand 29 former political prisoners be exonerated"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (unsplash.com \/ Tim H\u00fcfner)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

June 3, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The Belarusian human rights groups have released a joint statement, designating 29 people as former political prisoners and demanding that they officially be cleared of guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Viasna Human Rights Center, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, Lawtrend, Human Constanta and the Barys Zvozska\u016d Human Rights House signed the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New additions include Volha Radzikievi\u010d, U\u0142adzimir \u0141ahavy, Maryja Famina, Andrej Tom\u010dyk, Vital Andreje\u016d, Ja\u016dhien Ankuda, Stanis\u0142a\u016d Aka\u0142ovi\u010d, Arciom Stanie\u016dski, Maksim \u0141ahina\u016d, Ga\u0142a An\u0161uk, Natalla Bavulina, U\u0142adzis\u0142a\u016d Biahun, Natalla Bie\u0142aja, Viera Strunina, Siarhiej Samojlenka, Leanid Astapienka, Valeryj \u017dalezny, Andrej Bojka, U\u0142adzimir Miakinnik, \u015aviat\u0142ana \u0160viec, Jana Ani\u0161\u010dyk, Cimur Bacocha, Ihar Bu\u0142yha, Ja\u016dhien Buchta, Andrej Vasile\u016dski, Siarhiej Viku\u0142a\u016d, Artur Vi\u0161niaviecki, Artur Va\u0142\u010dok and U\u0142adzis\u0142a\u016d Harbuza\u016d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities subjected them to politically-motivated persecution by restricting their freedom or jailing them in an attempt to punish exercising freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, rights groups said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human rights defenders demanded that their cases be reconsidered with the aim of reversal, rehabilitation and compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rights groups have been designating people as former political prisoners since the fall of 2023. Now there are 356 names on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of June 3, human rights defenders identified at least 1,395 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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