In Belarus, Nobel laureate, head of the Viasna human rights center Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
He and three other human rights activists of the center were accused of “smuggling funds” and “financing group actions that grossly violate public order.” The remaining defendants received from 7 to 9 years in prison.
Shameful sentences were handed down today to the human rights activists of Viasna, reports Nasha Niva.
Vladimir Labkovich was sentenced to seven years in prison, Valentin Stefanovich – nine years, Byalyatsky – 10 years. Dmitry Solovyov was sentenced in absentia to 8 years.
Judge Marina Zapasnik found them guilty under Part 4 of Art. 228 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by an organized group) and Part 2 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (financing group actions that grossly violate public order).
Recall that Bialiatsky was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. The head and founder of the Viasna human rights center has been behind bars since July 2021.
Bialiatski was one of the initiators of the democratic movement that emerged in Belarus in the mid-1980s. He devoted his life to the cause of democracy and peace in his country. In 1996, he created the human rights organization Viasna in response to questionable constitutional changes that gave Belarusian President Lukashenko dictatorial powers.
Source: Racurs
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