2,500 people convicted in Belarus on political charges in 18 months
Criminal code, illustrative photo / sb.by
Over the past year and a half, more than 2,500 people have been convicted in Belarus on political grounds (for "extremist crimes"). The figures were announced by prosecutor general Dzmitry Hara.
"Over the past year and a half, prosecutors have supported state prosecution in more than 2,000 criminal cases of this category involving 2,500 individuals. Law enforcement agencies are taking measures to bring to criminal responsibility all persons who have committed extremist and terrorist crimes since 2020," the official reported.
Charges of "extremism" and "terrorism" have been used by the Lukashenka regime since 2020 to crack down on political opponents and dissidents.
Hara also said that since 2022, criminal cases against more than 150 people have been referred to court through special proceedings. Such cases are initiated against political refugees residing outside Belarus. The trials are conducted in absentia.
In addition, the prosecutor general boasted that, following a request from his office, the Supreme Court recognised the United Transitional Cabinet as a terrorist organisation, and the European Humanities University as an extremist one.
