Latest news with #AlesBialiatski
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A political prisoner dies in Belarusian prison, human rights activists say
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian man has died in prison while serving a sentence for insulting the country's authoritarian president, a human rights group said Thursday, adding to a growing number of political prisoners who perished amid a relentless crackdown on dissent in the tightly controlled country. Valiantsin Shtermer, 61, died in a prison colony in the city of Shklow in eastern Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center said. The exact date and the circumstances of his death weren't immediately known. Shtermer, a businessman, was handed a five-year sentence after he was convicted in October 2023 on charges of insulting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and criticizing the Russian war in Ukraine. He was put on the list of 'extremists' and 'terrorists,' designations that implied particularly tough prison conditions. Belarus was shaken by mass protests in 2020 following a disputed election that handed Lukashenko his sixth consecutive term in office. Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown, in which more than 65,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten by police. Top opposition figures were jailed or forced into exile, and hundreds of thousands fled abroad, fearing prosecution. Shtermer was the eighth political prisoner to die in custody since 2020, according to Viasna. The group said Belarus currently holds nearly 1,200 political prisoners, including its founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for over 30 years and has relied on Kremlin subsidies and support, allowed Russia to use his country's territory to send troops into neighboring Ukraine in 2022 and to host some of its tactical nuclear weapons. Belarusian authorities have recently released some political prisoners, including several U.S. citizens in what some observers saw as an attempt by Lukashenko to try to mend ties with the West, but others have remained behind bars. The prison where Shtermer died has been known for its harsh conditions. Human rights activists said that he had suffered a stroke before being sent to the prison, but was put in a penitentiary cell upon arrival. He spoke with difficulty, had trouble walking and injured his hand after collapsing but never received medical assistance, they said. Another political prisoner, Vitold Ashurok, died in the same prison in 2021. 'The Belarusian authorities bear the full responsibility for harassing political prisoners and creating torturous conditions for them and the death of innocent people behind bars,' said Viasna's Pavel Sapelka. According to the United Nations, Belarus holds at least seven political prisoners with disabilities and another 78 who suffer from chronic and grave acute diseases. 'We are horrified by reports about appalling detention conditions, lack of proper medical care and deliberate ill-treatment of prisoners convicted in relation to the 2020 events, including persons with disabilities, and chronic and acute diseases," U.N. experts said earlier this month. They voiced particular concern about the condition of Viktoria Kulsha, 43, who was sentenced for taking part in protests and has been on a hunger strike since late April.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
A political prisoner dies in Belarusian prison, human rights activists say
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian man has died in prison while serving a sentence for insulting the country's authoritarian president, a human rights group said Thursday, adding to a growing number of political prisoners who perished amid a relentless crackdown on dissent in the tightly controlled country. Valiantsin Shtermer, 61, died in a prison colony in the city of Shklow in eastern Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center said. The exact date and the circumstances of his death weren't immediately known. Shtermer, a businessman, was handed a five-year sentence after he was convicted in October 2023 on charges of insulting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and criticizing the Russian war in Ukraine. He was put on the list of 'extremists' and 'terrorists,' designations that implied particularly tough prison conditions. Belarus was shaken by mass protests in 2020 following a disputed election that handed Lukashenko his sixth consecutive term in office. Authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown, in which more than 65,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten by police. Top opposition figures were jailed or forced into exile, and hundreds of thousands fled abroad, fearing prosecution. Shtermer was the eighth political prisoner to die in custody since 2020, according to Viasna. The group said Belarus currently holds nearly 1,200 political prisoners, including its founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for over 30 years and has relied on Kremlin subsidies and support, allowed Russia to use his country's territory to send troops into neighboring Ukraine in 2022 and to host some of its tactical nuclear weapons. Belarusian authorities have recently released some political prisoners, including several U.S. citizens in what some observers saw as an attempt by Lukashenko to try to mend ties with the West, but others have remained behind bars. The prison where Shtermer died has been known for its harsh conditions. Human rights activists said that he had suffered a stroke before being sent to the prison, but was put in a penitentiary cell upon arrival. He spoke with difficulty, had trouble walking and injured his hand after collapsing but never received medical assistance, they said. Another political prisoner, Vitold Ashurok, died in the same prison in 2021. 'The Belarusian authorities bear the full responsibility for harassing political prisoners and creating torturous conditions for them and the death of innocent people behind bars,' said Viasna's Pavel Sapelka. According to the United Nations, Belarus holds at least seven political prisoners with disabilities and another 78 who suffer from chronic and grave acute diseases. 'We are horrified by reports about appalling detention conditions, lack of proper medical care and deliberate ill-treatment of prisoners convicted in relation to the 2020 events, including persons with disabilities, and chronic and acute diseases,' U.N. experts said earlier this month. They voiced particular concern about the condition of Viktoria Kulsha, 43, who was sentenced for taking part in protests and has been on a hunger strike since late April.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Belarusian authorities detain an American accused of arriving illegally on an empty train
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities said Monday they have detained an American man who they said illegally traveled into the tightly controlled country in an empty railway car from neighboring Lithuania. Belarus' Customs Committee said the 27-year-old, whose identify wasn't given, was found during an inspection of the train in Maladzyechna, 80 kilometers (49 miles) northwest of the capital, Minsk. A team that inspected the train handed him over to the Border Guards, who didn't immediately comment. It was not clear when the man was discovered. The Viasna Human Rights Center said the man could face up to two years in prison if found guilty of illegal border crossing. The U.S. State Department has warned Americans against traveling to Belarus, citing 'Belarusian authorities' arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of detention, continued facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, and the heightened volatility and unpredictable nature of the regional security environment.' At the same time, Belarus has introduced a visa-free regime for travelers from 80 countries, including the United States, who arrive by plane and stay for no more than five days. Those who want to spend more time can receive electronic visas. Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who was sworn in for a seventh term earlier this month, has ruled for more than three decades, stifling dissent and free speech. Authorities responded to massive protests triggered by the 2020 presidential vote with a crackdown that saw over 65,000 people arrested, thousands beaten by police and independent media outlets and nongovernmental organizations closed and outlawed, bringing condemnation and sanctions from the West. Belarusian activists say it currently holds more than 1,200 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, founder of Viasna. Belarusian authorities recently released some political prisoners, including several U.S. citizens in what some observers saw as an attempt by Lukashenko to try to mend ties with the West.
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Belarusian authorities detain an American accused of arriving illegally on an empty train
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities said Monday they have detained an American man who they said illegally traveled into the tightly controlled country in an empty railway car from neighboring Lithuania. Belarus' Customs Committee said the 27-year-old, whose identify wasn't given, was found during an inspection of the train in Maladzyechna, 80 kilometers (49 miles) northwest of the capital, Minsk. A team that inspected the train handed him over to the Border Guards, who didn't immediately comment. It was not clear when the man was discovered. The Viasna Human Rights Center said the man could face up to two years in prison if found guilty of illegal border crossing. The U.S. State Department has warned Americans against traveling to Belarus, citing 'Belarusian authorities' arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of detention, continued facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, and the heightened volatility and unpredictable nature of the regional security environment.' At the same time, Belarus has introduced a visa-free regime for travelers from 80 countries, including the United States, who arrive by plane and stay for no more than five days. Those who want to spend more time can receive electronic visas. Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who was sworn in for a seventh term earlier this month, has ruled for more than three decades, stifling dissent and free speech. Authorities responded to massive protests triggered by the 2020 presidential vote with a crackdown that saw over 65,000 people arrested, thousands beaten by police and independent media outlets and nongovernmental organizations closed and outlawed, bringing condemnation and sanctions from the West. Belarusian activists say it currently holds more than 1,200 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, founder of Viasna.
