Political persecutions

Igor, a Minsk resident, a citizen of the Russian Federation and a reserve officer, was arrested and convicted for filling the front door of the apartment of Tatyana Oboznaya, an employee of the internal affairs agencies, with polyurethane foam, who falsely commented on the death of Roman Bondarenko, who was killed by security forces. He was also accused of writing an offensive inscription on her mailbox.

He was released after serving his full sentence as determined by the court and deported to the Russian Federation on March 12, 2022.

Oleg, a lawyer for the Office for the Rights of People with Disabilities, was arrested in February 2021 on charges of fraud.

Released on bail on July 31, 2021.

Vadim was convicted in the criminal “round dance case” initiated after a protest that took place on September 13, 2020 in Brest.

In December 2024, it became known that a court hearing in absentia was held regarding Vadim to replace the restriction of freedom with imprisonment in a penal colony.

Nikita was arrested and convicted of throwing a Molotov cocktail at military personnel on August 10, 2020, according to investigators. The prosecution claimed the bottles were hidden and given to him by Leonid Kovalev with the intention of setting fire to a building, bus, or police van. Nikita refused to testify, denied guilt, and reported physical and psychological pressure in pretrial detention. He was 16 years old at the time of his arrest and suffers from epilepsy.

In July 2021, he was convicted again under the article on "violence or threat of violence" for an incident with pretrial detention facility staff. In June 2022, Nikita was transferred to an adult prison colony upon turning 18, and in August of that year, his sentence was increased, relegating him to a prison regime.

In July 2024, the political prisoner was tried for "malicious disobedience to the prison administration"—a charge often applied to prisoners who refuse to cooperate with the administration.

On March 19, 2026, he was released after another visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, John Cole, and taken to Lithuania.

Ivan, an anarchist activist, was first detained at the height of the August protests against the 2020 election results. During his detention, he was severely beaten, forcing him to use a wheelchair for a long time.

Ivan was detained again in the fall of the same year. He was accused of blocking roads on the night of August 10-11, 2020, near the Riga shopping center in Minsk. He was later convicted of "participation in group actions that grossly violate public order."

In October 2024, it became known that Ivan had a court hearing in absentia to replace the restriction of freedom with imprisonment in a penal colony.

Ekaterina, a journalist for the Belsat TV channel, was reporting live from the courtyard of the Square of Change, where peaceful protesters gathered for a protest rally in Minsk on November 15, 2020, under the slogan "I'm coming out." These were the last words of Raman Bondarenko, who was killed by security forces, and those gathered came to honor his memory. Ekaterina was detained along with her colleague Darya Chultsova during the violent dispersal of the rally and was later convicted of "participating in group actions that grossly violate public order."

In April 2022, a new criminal case was opened against Ekaterina, and in July of the same year she was convicted again, accused of “treason” and sentenced to eight years in prison three months before the end of her first sentence.

On March 19, 2026, she was released following another visit to Minsk by the U.S. President Donald Trump's special representative, John Coyle, and was transported to Lithuania.

Alexey was arrested and convicted of weapons possession and allegedly preparing to commit mass riots with their use. In an interview, he stated that he only pleaded guilty to weapons possession and did not understand why the trial was held behind closed doors. Alexey called the charge of preparing to commit riots a "witch hunt."

At the end of December 2021, it became known that Alexei's punishment had been increased and he had been transferred to a prison regime.

In the winter of 2024, a political prisoner was tried on a new criminal charge of "malicious disobedience to the demands of the prison administration." This article is used to try prisoners who refuse to cooperate with the administration for fictitious violations.

On March 19, 2026, he was released after another visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, John Cole, and taken to Lithuania.

Stepan was hit by a police van in the oncoming lane on November 15, 2020, during a protest in memory of Roman Bondarenko, killed by security forces, on Pushkin Avenue in Minsk, immediately detained and severely beaten. He was convicted of alleged hooliganism - deliberate and unprovoked attacks on police cars at least three times, which resulted in damage to them.

Andrey was arrested on August 11, 2020, in a criminal case of mass riots, opened after the start of mass protests against the results of the presidential elections. He was brutally beaten by GUBOPiK officers to give the testimony they needed. Andrey was convicted of "participation in group actions that grossly violate public order."

Alexander, a BMZ employee and musician, was convicted of organizing a strike at the plant, which took place on August 17, 2020 in Zhlobin.

In September 2021, it became known that as part of the pardon, Alexander's preventive measure was changed to "house arrest".

Dmitry was arrested and convicted for blocking the road with a utility vehicle during a post-election protest that took place in Minsk from August 10 to 11, 2020.

On December 13, 2025, he was released following a visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, John Cole, and taken to Ukraine.

Vladimir was arrested on August 18, 2020, in the so-called "Korelichi case" related to alleged unrest in Korelichi and Navahrudak following the presidential election. He was convicted of "organizing mass unrest" and insulting Lukashenko.

In Correctional Colony No. 17, Vladimir was subjected to systematic beatings and biased treatment, including frequent placement in a punishment cell and a cell-type facility.

In April 2023, his sentence was increased and he was transferred to prison.

On December 13, 2025, he was released following a visit to Minsk by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, John Cole, and was taken to Ukraine.

He was convicted of insulting and threatening to use violence against a government official.

In August 2021, it became known that Dmitry had escaped from the correctional facility and left Belarus.

Vladislav was detained in connection with a criminal case opened on the events of July 14, 2020 in Minsk, when people took to the streets to protest the Central Election Commission's decision not to register Viktor Babariko and Valery Tsepkalo as presidential candidates. He was convicted under the article "Violence or threat of violence against an employee of the internal affairs bodies."

On August 22, 2021, Vladislav escaped from the correctional facility and left Belarus.

Evgeny was detained in Moscow on charges of resisting police during the August 2020 protests in Brest and taken into custody.

Released on July 30, 2021.