The flywheel of repression in Belarus does not stop — human rights defenders sum up the year's results
Human rights defenders summarized the results of criminal prosecution in Belarus for 2025. The figures show that the authorities continue to massively prosecute people for protests and any display of dissent online, reports "Viasna".
Over the year, at least 1254 people were punished in political cases (these are cases that became known to human rights defenders). Among them are 899 men (72%) and 355 women (28%), as well as 45 people of retirement age: 27 women and 18 men.
What are they judged for?
Belarusians are still massively prosecuted for participating in protests five years ago. This is the most popular reason for political trials — under the "people's" article 342, at least 643 people were convicted in 2025.
Defamation articles are also common, under which people are prosecuted for comments about Lukashenka, security forces, and government officials. Thus, for "insulting Lukashenka" (Art. 368 of the Criminal Code), 151 people were convicted.
No less common are the so-called "extremist" articles of the Criminal Code. For "facilitating extremist activity" (Art. 361-4), 274 people were convicted.
For "creating an extremist formation or participating in it" (Art. 361-1) — 102 people.
For "financing extremist activity" (Art. 361-2) — 36 people.
Also this year, many Belarusians were convicted for "calls for sanctions" (Art. 361) — 84 people.
In 2025, "in absentia trials" were actively used. This is when a person who has left the country is tried without their presence. Thus, 30 people were punished.
How are they punished?
More often, "restricted freedom" is assigned. 555 people received such a sentence.
More than 300 people were sent to a penal colony.
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Comments
Тем более, что санкции можно снять только через торговлю политзаключёнными.
Раз США идут на такие торги и не выставляют никаких условии по прекращению репессии, не вводят новых санкции за репрессии населения, то, надо продолжать.