Viasna case is a series of criminal investigations targeting the organization's leaders and regular members for their human rights activities and assistance to people in defending their rights and public interests.
Marfa Rabkova, coordinator of Viasna’s Volunteer Service, and volunteer Andrei Chapiuk were among the first to be detained under criminal charges following the falsification of the 2020 presidential election. After nearly two years of pre-trial detention, they were sentenced to 15 and 6 years in prison, respectively.
The prosecution of Viasna members — Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, and Uladzimir Labkovich — initially proceeded under Part 1 and 2 of Art. 342 (organization and financing of group actions that grossly violate public order) and Part 2 of Art. 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion). Later, the tax evasion charges were dropped, and the human rights defenders' actions were reclassified as "smuggling by an organized group" (Part 4 of Art. 228 of the Criminal Code). On March 3, 2023, they were sentenced to 10, 9, and 7 years in prison, respectively.
Homieĺ-based human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka was sentenced to 3 years in a penal colony, and volunteer Tatsiana Lasitsa was sentenced to 2.5 years.
The timeline is a collection of consecutive facts highlighting arrests, searches, and other forms of persecution of our colleagues behind bars.
It also features most significant events for the human rights defenders and the entire civil society of Belarus: international statements, events, and awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Ales Bialiatski.
Solidarity action on Ales Bialiatski's birthday, Stockholm
Solidarity rally on the day of sentencing of Viasna human rights defenders, Vilnius
Solidarity action on the fourth anniversary of the detention of the Viasna activists, Vilnius
Opening of the art installation "Unbreakable" in the framework of the Belarusian Days, Brussels
An action of solidarity with Ales Bialiatski from Libereco activists
