Another two political prisoners sentenced for "malicious disobedience to colony administration"
In Belarus, political prisoners continue to be tried under Art. 411 of the Criminal Code (malicious disobedience to the colony administration) for minor or fabricated violations. Thus, in Babruysk, 22-year-old political prisoner Ilya Verameyeu and 54-year-old Siarhei Kanavalau were recently sentenced under this article, writes "Viasna".
Siarhei Kanavalau, before his arrest, worked at the Vitebsk signaling and communication distance of the UP "Vitebsk branch of Belarusian Railways". He was detained on March 6, 2022. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the man allegedly planned to disable systems that ensure the safety of railway traffic.
In September 2022, Siarhei was convicted in a criminal case for "inciting national and other social hatred" (Art. 130 of the Criminal Code) and for "preparing to commit an act of terrorism" (Part 1, Art. 13, Part 2, Art. 289 of the Criminal Code). He was sentenced to 15 years in a reinforced-regime penal colony, as well as a fine of 300 basic units.
In autumn 2024, the administration of Babruysk penal colony No. 2 initiated a case against Siarhei under Part 2 of Art. 411 of the Criminal Code (malicious disobedience to the colony administration). At that time, judge Pavel Kartinin sentenced him to an additional two years in the colony on top of the 15 years.
It has now become known that in correctional colony No. 14 in Navasady, a second consecutive criminal case was initiated against Siarhei under Art. 411 of the Criminal Code. On April 17, 2026, he was tried. The result is another two years of imprisonment. Now the political prisoner's total term is 19 years.
"Homiel Viasna" reported on the new trial of political prisoner Ilya Verameyeu. The term assigned to the young man is currently unknown.
On February 24, 2022, Ilya Verameyeu from Homiel started a Telegram correspondence with his sister Yana around five in the morning. The reason was the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine and the shelling of the city of Mykolaiv, where his sister was living at the time. Ilya was very worried about her. Three days later, the young man was detained after his calls in a local chat to resist and start acting against the war: security forces were waiting for him at the meeting point with Homiel residents.
Ilya was sentenced to six and a half years in a penal colony. Later, the KGB included the young man in the "list of persons involved in terrorist activities," and the Ministry of Internal Affairs — in the "list of extremists." He was sent to Babruysk penal colony No. 2 to serve his term.
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