Young Front calls to recognise arrested street artists as political prisoners

Activists urge the Belarusian law-enforcement bodies to immediately release new political hostages.

Several activists were reported on August 13 to have been detained on suspicion of drawing political graffiti. They may face up to 6 years of imprisonment.

Young Front published a statement on its website, paying attention to the fact that “punitive agencies of the Belarusian regime see a crime in patriotic drawings that have no extremist idea and, on the contrary, promote anti-totalitarian symbols, condemn communism and fascism”.

Young Front members emphasise that fascist symbols can be seen in many places in the city, but the police don't detain neo-Nazis who drew swastikas, preferring to arrest the activists who stand against any displays of fascism.

“The Belarusian regime again demonstrates its criminal fascist nature,” the statement reads.

Young Front calls on human rights defenders and all democratic organisations of Belarus to release appropriate statements and recognise the detained activists as political prisoners.