Babaryka and Tsikhanouski prisoners of conscience, Amnesty International says


In a special statement International human rights organization Amnesty International has urged the Belarusian authorities to stop criminal prosecution, intimidation and repression against opponents of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the human rights portal spring96.org reports.

Amnesty International states that it considers Syarhei Tsikhanouski and eight people arrested with him (Yauhen Raznichenka, Zmitser Furmanau, Uladzimir Naumik, Vyarhil Ushak, Alyaksandr Aranovich, Syarhei Kalmykau, Vasil Babrouski and Artsyom Sokau) prisoners of conscience, as they were imprisoned solely in connection with the peaceful exercise of their rights. Human rights defenders call on the authorities to release the prisoners immediately.

In addition, the statement notes that Viktar and Eduard Babaryka have become prisoners of conscience, persecuted solely for peaceful expression of their political views.

Amnesty International also condemns the mass persecution of bloggers and journalists, in particular, Syarhei Bahrou, Syarhei Latsinski, Ihar Losik, Uladzimir Nyaronski, Syarhei Pyatrukhin and Uladzimir Tsyhanovich.

“They are all prisoners of conscience and should be immediately and unconditionally released,” reads the statement.

“The Belarusian authorities should stop criminal prosecution, intimidation and repression against opponents of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and their supporters, civil society activists and independent media,” reads a special statement of Amnesty International.

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