Valiantsin Stefanovich: Belarusian authorities are not going to release political prisoners

Lukashenka is not going to fulfill demands of the EU.

Valiantsin Stefanovich, the deputy head of Viasna human rights centre, comments on the outcome of the trial against Mikalai Dziadok that was held yesterday in the Mahilou prison.

“We regard the court decision against Mikalai Dziadok as politically motivated,” he said. “It is obvious that he was punished for the disciplinary sanctions that had been imposed on him earlier. It is even more cynical because the trial was held only a few days before the expiration of his prison term. In general, article 411 of the Criminal Code is unacceptable, because it allows prison authorities to apply it selectively to those whom they dislike.

Unfortunately, the Belarusian authorities didn't hear the voice of human rights activists. Their actions demonstrate their attitude to the problem of political prisoners in Belarus. They are unlikely to change their stance. We cannot expect the release of political prisoners.”

Ihar Shvedau, a judge of Mahilou's Leninski district court, sentenced the political prisoner to one more year of imprisonment for violating article 411 of the Criminal Code. The political prisoner will serve the remaining three days of his first term before serving the new sentence.

Human rights defenders note that harassment of opposition members, journalist and small businessmen has increased in the last months. New political prisoners have appeared, the number of preventive arrests of activists has grown, a number of new repressive laws have been adopted, independent websites have been blocked, pressure on small business has increased. Experts explain it with the fact that many EU officials close their eyes to human rights violations in Belarus and try to establish a “dialogue” with the dictator.