Human Rights Activists Hold Marathon In Support Of Political Prisoners In Belarus

The week of support of political prisoners is held in Belarus from August 20 to 25.

The voluntary service of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" is holding a week of support of political prisoners in Belarus - from August 20 to 25, Belsat informs.

During this time, you can visit the "Viasna" office (Minsk, Independence ave. 78 and 48) and sign postcards that will be then sent to political prisoners.

In addition, the event will take place on August 22, during which the activists will present the stories of the political prisoners from around the world, and it will be possible to communicate with former Belarusian prisoners of conscience.

According to human rights activist, there are two political prisoners in Belarusian prisons now:

Dzmitry Paliyenka.

In October 2016 Paliyenka was convicted to 2 years of imprisonment with the suspension of sentence, for an alleged attack on a policeman during a bicycle run "Critical Mass", which was held in Minsk. Last year, Paliyenka was arrested again: the court overturned the suspension and sent Paliyenka to serve the remainder of his prison term in the Babruisk colony. International human rights organization Amnesty International has recognized Paliyenka as a prisoner of conscience.

Mikhail Zhamchuzhny.

Founder of the "Innovation Platform" Mikhail Zhamchuzhny in July 2015 was convicted by Vitsebsk regional court to 6.5 years of imprisonment in a reinforced-security penal colony. He was found guilty of alleged intentional incitement to the disclosure of information constituting an official secret; Illegal acquisition and distribution of special technical means for secret receiving of information; bribery.