Former political prisonersForced emigration

Vitaly Nikolaevich Kovalenko

Dissidentby since
Viasna since

Vitaly was convicted in September 2021 for causing bodily harm to police officer Vladislav Suvorov during a search on April 23, 2021. According to the prosecution, he slammed a door on the officer's fingers, causing fractures and scratches.

In court, Vitaly explained that he was at home with his family that day when he heard his wife scream. In the hallway, he saw his son and at least four men in tracksuits and masks, who were trying to force their way into the apartment without identifying them. In shock, he tried to hold the door open, unaware that they were police officers and unaware that he could have injured their fingers. Vitaly emphasized that if he had immediately realized they were police officers, the situation would not have happened.

The court sentenced him to restricted freedom with direction and payment of large compensation.

Left Belarus.

In December 2024, a court hearing in absentia was held as part of a special proceeding on the issue of replacing the restriction of freedom with imprisonment in a penal colony.

Sentences

Trial outcome 07.09.2021
3 years restrictions of freedom with referral to an open-type correctional facility, 3000 rubles of compensation.
Regime change trial 13.12.2024
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions (trial in absentia).

Involved in repression

Novel Ivanovich Bizyuk
Novel Ivanovich Bizyuk
State prosecutors25 march 1986
Place:
court of the Moscow district of Minsk
Type:
Court of First Instance
Date:
07.09.2021
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Olga Petrovna Malashenko
Olga Petrovna Malashenko
Judges23 may 1984
Place:
court of the Moscow district of Minsk
Type:
Court of First Instance
Date:
07.09.2021
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Julia Vladimirovna Varaksa
Julia Vladimirovna Varaksa
Judges16 september 1988
Place:
court of the Moscow district of Minsk
Type:
Court of First Instance
Date:
13.12.2024
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Vitaly Nikolaevich Kovalenko
In custody:
Hometown:
Minsk
Birthday:
23.05.1972
Number of children:
2
Articles:
Groups:
Parents of minors

Timeline

  1. 2021
  2. ~23.04.2021

    Status change

    In custody

  3. 07.09.2021

    Trial outcome 07.09.2021

    3 years restrictions of freedom with referral to an open-type correctional facility, 3000 rubles of compensation, court of the Moscow district of Minsk

  4. 07.09.2021

    Status change

    Released pending appeal

  5. ~03.10.2021

    Status change

    Forced emigration

  6. 2024
  7. 13.12.2024

    Regime change trial 13.12.2024

    unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions (trial in absentia), court of the Moscow district of Minsk