Viasna: at least 67 retired Belarusians imprisoned for political reasons
Halina Dzierbyš
October 1, Pozirk. Belarusian authorities hold at least 67 people of retirement age in prisons for political reasons, the Viasna Human Rights Center said on International Day of Older Persons, October 1.
The retirees were prosecuted on a wide range of charges, from insulting the head of state to high treason and terrorism.
For example, Halina Dzierbyš was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of terrorism in the high-profile Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič case. A resident of the Abuchava farm town in the Hrodna district, she suffers from cancer and heart problems. She had been an independent election observer for 15 years.
Viasna also mentioned Iryna Mielchier, sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Aŭtuchovič case.
In early July, human rights activists reported the release of 18 political prisoners after Alaksandar Łukašenka had announced freeing his seriously ill opponents. That and subsequent groups of pardoned people included retirees, such as cancer-stricken Belarusian Popular Front leader Ryhor Kastusioŭ.
In total, 115 political prisoners have been released on pardon since July. Over the same period, human rights defenders have designated 142 people as political prisoners.
In all, there are 1,317 documented political prisoners in the country, according to Viasna.
Łukašenka says to keep releasing political prisoners
September 28, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka told students in Minsk yesterday that he will continue to pardon those convicted of what he called extremist crimes. "This is the constitutional duty of the president," he said, as quoted by his press office. …