Infographics: Political prisoners in Belarus

• 26.05.2015, 11:21

Today six political prisoners are behind bars.

A week ago Viasna human rights center, Swiss-German association Libereco and Freedom House launched a joint online petition with a requirement to Aliaksandr Lukashenka to release all political prisoners. The existence of political prisoners and persecution of dissidents are serious human rights violations, HRC Viasna informs.

Besides, the year of the presidential elections is specified by an increased pressure on political prisoners. For example, 3 days before the prison term expiration Mikalai Dziadok was sentenced to an additional year for "violation of the regime of serving punishment" (Art. 411 CC). On May 27 Yury Rybtsou will be tried under Article 415 of the Criminal Code (avoidance of serving punishment). Artsem Prakapenka denied a pardon; Mikalai Statkevich is transferred to prison. It is not the first time when Ihar Alinevich is placed in the remand prison.