Belarusian Heroes in Mahiliou: What Is Known About Afnahel, Viniarski, Seviarynets, and Associates

The frightened authorities closed the process.

On May 12, the Mahiliou Regional Court began the trial of Pavel Seviarynets, co-chairman of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, civil activist Iryna Shchastnaya, and activists of the European Belarus civil campaign Yauhen Afnahel, Maksim Viniarski, Dzmitry Kazlou, Pavel Yukhnevich, and Andrei Voinich.

The criminal case is being considered behind closed doors; even close relatives were not allowed into the courtroom. Salidarnasts briefly tells about each person involved in the case.

Pavel Seviarynets

Pavel Seviarynets was detained on June 7, 2020. He was returning from the picket on Kamarouka, where he came with a bag collected just in case.

Born on December 30, 1976, in Orsha. In 2000, he graduated from the Faculty of Geography of the Belarusian State University.

In 1995, he joined the Belarusian People's Front, stood at the origins of the creation of the Young Front, led by the co-chairman of the organizing committee of the party Belarusian Christian Democracy.

In the 90s, he was published in several independent editions, the author of the books "Letters from the Forest," "Belarusalim," "DJ of the Renaissance," "To brother," and others. Winner of the Frantsishak Aliahnovich and Ales Adamovich literary awards (Belarusian PEN Center) and the Vasil Bykau prize "For freedom of thought."

Pavel Seviarynets is one of the most principled and uncompromising opponents of the Lukashenka regime. He was repeatedly detained by the security forces. In 1998, he spent two months in a pre-trial detention center after being arrested for disrupting a pro-government concert.

In 2005, he was sentenced to three years in prison for organizing protests against the results of the 2004 referendum.

On December 20, 2010, he was detained after mass protests against the results of the next presidential elections. He spent five months in the KGB pre-trial detention center and, as a result, was sentenced to three years of restriction of freedom.

He is married, his son Frantsishak turned three in March.

Yauhen Afnahel

Yauhen Afnahel was detained on September 25, 2020. At the same time, the door in his apartment was broken.

Born on February 7, 1979. Graduated from BSPU named after Maksim Tank, Faculty of History. Was at the origins of the creation of the opposition movement Zubr, coordinator of the European Belarus.

After the events of 2010, he was in forced emigration for several years. He was repeatedly detained and served administrative arrests.

Recently, Yauhen's father died, and the political prisoner was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Pavel Yukhnevich

Pavel Yukhnevich was detained on September 25, 2020. The security forces broke into the apartment through the window and door, they were wearing masks and with weapons.

Born June 30, 1985. He studied political science at YSU but did not finish his education.

Has been in politics since the age of 14. Was in Young Front, Zubr, an activist of the European Belarus. An active participant in Ploshcha-2006, solidarity rallies on the 16th of every month.

In 2010, he was at the headquarters of Uladzimir Niaklyaeu, was repeatedly preventively detained by the security forces.

After 2010, he retired from politics. In 2019, he participated in the parliamentary campaign, was nominated for deputy.

Divorced, father of two daughters - 8-year-old Eva and 5-year-old Adelia.

Maksim Viniarski

Maksim Viniarski was detained on January 22, 2021, by employees of the GUBOPiK.

Born on July 27, 1981. He studied at the Belarusian State Technical University, was expelled on the eve of his diploma defense for political reasons.

A member of the BPF party, he was in Young Front, Zubr, an activist of the European Belarus, a close friend and ally of Yukhnevich and Afnahel.

Viniarski was detained many times during street rallies; for more than a year, he was repeatedly detained for a day.

Andrei Voinich

Andrei Voinich was detained on September 25, 2020, together with Yukhnevich.

Born on April 15, 1981. In the past, a Zubr member, an activist of the European Belarus. He was repeatedly detained by the security forces at street rallies, on watch in Kurapaty. In May 2020, he was sentenced to 15 days for taking part in a pre-election picket in Kamarouka.

Dzmitry Kazlou

Dzmitry Kazlou was detained on June 10, 2020, by AMAP officers.

Was born on April 26, 1988. He graduated from the 4th year of the Horki Agricultural Academy. Known for his Gray Cat YouTube channel.

He started with streams of protests of non-parasites in 2017. At the end of 2019, he streamed from rallies in support of independence, participated in them. The result was 120 days of administrative arrest.

Dzmitry took part in the parliamentary campaign.

Iryna Shchastnaya

Iryna Shchastnaya was detained on November 18, 2020. The security forces came to her home in the utility services uniforms.

Born June 29, 1987. Graduated from the Institute of Parliamentarism and Entrepreneurship.

Iryna took part in the events of 2006, coordinated the Razam movement. In 2020, she administered several protest Telegram channels.

On the eve of the elections, she left for Kyiv, but in the fall, at the height of the protests, she returned to Belarus.

She is married, her son Herman is 10 years old. Her husband Aliaksandr and son were forced to leave the country.