All persecuted

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.

Sergei was detained on August 30, 2020, in Minsk during a Sunday protest. His arrest followed a clash between police and protesters who were trying to prevent the detention of one of the protesters. He was later convicted of "violence against an officer of the internal affairs bodies."

In January 2024, he was transferred to another colony, most likely to IK-2.

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

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

In the winter of 2024, a political prisoner was tried in a new criminal case for "malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of a correctional facility." Under this article, prisoners who refuse to cooperate with the administration are tried for fictitious violations.

Pavel was detained in September 2020 after publishing a new video. He had planned to run for president, but the Central Election Commission refused to register him. Pavel became a confidant of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. He was accused of "inciting social discord" because of the video, which criticized government officials, including prosecutors, judges, and police.

In November 2024, another trial of the political prisoner took place. According to human rights activists, Pavel was supposed to be released in December after completing his term, but at the initiative of the administration of Bobruisk colony No. 2, a criminal case was opened against him for "malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of the correctional institution."

Anton was detained, severely beaten, and later convicted of damaging the car of a policeman's wife in Novaya Borovaya.

His wife and children managed to leave Belarus.

He was detained and severely beaten by GUBOPiK officers to obtain the “necessary testimony.” Nikita was convicted of intending to participate in a protest using a Molotov cocktail.

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

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.

Oleg was arrested and convicted for "hitting" a police officer during a street march in Vitebsk on September 13, 2020. In September 2021, he was transferred to prison for "violating the rules of the order."

In August 2022, Oleg was re-convicted for “malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of the correctional institution” and was given another year of imprisonment.

On July 25, 2023, the political prisoner was again convicted of “disobeying the demands of the administration” and sentenced to another year in prison.

In September 2024, another hearing was held on the criminal case against Oleg for “malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of the correctional institution” - a charge that is often applied to prisoners who refuse to cooperate with the prison administration.

Throughout his imprisonment, Oleg is constantly under pressure. He is regularly sent to a punishment cell, where he is kept in isolation for dozens of days.

Sergei was detained in his apartment, severely beaten and convicted of “violence against a policeman” in Gomel. Sergei said that after the brutal detention, they continued to beat him at the Central District Department of Internal Affairs.

“They beat me, jumped on my head, insulted me and laughed when I cried,” Vereshchagin said. The lawyer added that he received at least 100 blows to different parts of his body.

In October 2021, he was transferred to prison regime.

Andrei was detained on August 30, 2020, during a Sunday protest in Minsk and convicted of trying to stop another protester from being detained.

From September 28, 2021, he was transferred to prison regime for 3 years.

He was convicted of throwing a Molotov cocktail towards security forces during a protest that took place on August 10, 2020 in Baranovichi.

Sergei was detained and convicted for spraying a pepper spray at a riot police officer during a protest on August 9, 2020 in Gomel against election fraud.

In June 2023 and May 2024, he was convicted twice of "malicious disobedience to the demands of the prison administration." This article is used to try prisoners who refuse to cooperate with the administration, often on trumped-up charges. As a result, his sentence was extended by two years, to five years.

Dmitry was arrested on August 15, 2020 and convicted of threatening a police lieutenant colonel and setting his outbuilding on fire.

Nikita was detained in October 2019 and convicted of attacks on the buildings of Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 and the Minsk City Court in Minsk in solidarity with political prisoners. He was initially sentenced to 7 years in prison, but after an appeal, the term was reduced to 4 years. In May 2020, Nikita was transferred to prison regime.

In March 2022, he was convicted again of “malicious disobedience to the demands of correctional authorities,” a charge often applied to inmates who refuse to cooperate with prison authorities. In March 2023, he was transferred back to prison mode.

Throughout his imprisonment, Nikita is constantly under pressure. He is often sent to solitary confinement, where he is kept in isolation for dozens of days. He is deprived of visits from his family, his correspondence is restricted, and his personal belongings are confiscated. In response to the harsh conditions of detention, Nikita protests with hunger strikes and by refusing to comply with the administration's demands. He is also regularly subjected to penalties for minor violations, such as refusing to clean the courtyard or for inter-cell communication.

Three months before his release, in February 2025, Nikita had another court hearing on charges of “malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of a correctional facility,” as a result of which he was sentenced to another year of imprisonment.