Valyantin Stefanovich: Hopes for release of political prisoners did not come true

Human rights activists are concerned about new prisoners of conscience in Belarus.

Valyantin Stefanovich, a deputy head of  Viasna human rights centre, talked to charter97.org about placing Vasily Parfyankou to a detention facility and charges against Anton Surapin and Syarheo Basharymau.

“Unfortunately, our hopes for the release of political prisoners did not come true. We see more and more prisoners. Vasily Parfyankou was accused of violation of the rules of preventive surveillance. He was put under surveillance after taking part in a street procession to mark one year anniversary since the December 19 events. Preventive surveillance is a method to press on former political prisoners, who didn't calm down and continue their political activities. We regard Vasily Parfyankou as a new political prisoner. Pavel Vinahradau and Uladzimir Yaromenak are under surveillance too,” the human rights defender says.

Viasna centre says there are 16 political prisoners, including Anton Surapin and Syarhei Basharymau. Andrzej Poczobut is in a dangerous situation. He may face from 3 to 5 years in prison. We fear the Gazeta Wyborcza journalist may become a new political prisoner amid tensions in the relations with the EU,” Valyantin Stefanovich thinks.

“I don't even mention preventive arrests. The authorities have an unofficial blacklist of the activists who must be isolated ahead of important events in the country, for example visits of Putin or Medvedev,” the human rights activists says.