Literature: Waiting for great prose Cinema: Victory in Krakow and the ubiquitous “extremists” Theatre: The leadership is dominated by security forces, and …
Repression
In total, over the 5 years of the assistance program, the Belarusian Council of Culture has responded to more than 2,000 requests, provided 1,400 consultations on issues of relocation, legalization, adaptation, obtaining visas, finding lawyers, and applying for support from partner funds. We have contributed to the issuance of more than 370 visas, humanitarian residence permits, etc., and 590 people have received financial and psychological assistance.
If you are a cultural figure and need psychological, legal, or other assistance, you can write to rada_help@byculture.org
The situation with political prisoners and cultural figures in Belarus
Overview of the Situation
The human rights situation in Belarus remains critical. Cultural figures face systematic repression, a core component of a broad campaign to stifle independent thought and civil society.
As of June 10, 2025, data from leading human rights organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Centre and Dissidentby, indicates over 1,311 political prisoners in Belarus. PEN Belarus reports this total encompasses at least 97 cultural figures, with an additional 165 individuals associated with cultural activities currently detained or under restrictive measures on their freedom. These figures indicate widespread and systematic suppression within the cultural sphere. Between January and March 2025, PEN Belarus documented 319 instances of violations against cultural figures’ rights. These comprise:
- 115 cases of cultural content arbitrarily designated as “extremist”.
- 49 instances of censorship.
- 36 documented violations of the right to a fair trial.
- 12 new criminal cases initiated (half of which are repeat offenses since 2020).
This data reflects a strategy of pressure against independent culture: criminalization of creative expression, isolation of artists and intellectuals, and prohibition of cultural works.
Emblematic Cases: Profiles of Persecution
The following cases of cultural figures held as political prisoners represent the severe nature of these repressions and warrant international attention. The Belarusian Council for Culture has analyzed these cases and strongly recommends focusing on three key trends that necessitate immediate release, and which reflect the nature of the persecution.
1. Persecution for Creative Expression: Is Art a Crime in the 21st Century?
These cases demonstrate the regime’s response to free speech, song, and artistic expression. Individuals are prosecuted for their creative output, a powerful symbol of protest and hope.
- Dzmitryi Halavach, Yauhen Burlo, Andrei Yaremchyk (the Tor Band): Sentenced to terms ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 10 years in a penal colony for their music, arbitrarily labeled “extremist”. The band was declared an “extremist group”.
- Yauhen Burlo, a band musician: Was on crutches at sentencing and moves with difficulty; requires hip surgery. Health issues persist from a previous sentence; medication delivery is impossible.
- Andrei Yaremchyk, the band’s bass guitarist, is also on the list of extremists.
- Aleh Khamenka, belarusian musician, radio host, teacher, composer, cultural leader, producer, leader of the folk-modern group “Palats”
2. Imprisonment Despite Severe Health Conditions or Old Age
The detention of individuals suffering from serious health conditions or of advanced age, coupled with deprivation of adequate medical care, leads to deteriorating health and severe suffering.
- Viachaslau Areshka, historian and culturologist: Sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony, despite significant health challenges. He suffers severe vision impairment, can barely see, but is denied disability registration in the colony.
- Uladzimir Hundar, civic activist and local historian: Sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony, suffering severe health conditions and denied essential medical assistance. He has a major disability (no legs) and partially lost hearing while imprisoned.
3. Intellectual and Civic Resistance: Prominent Public Figures
These individuals represent cultural, educational, and expert communities. The regime conducts a targeted campaign against them.
- Pavel Belavus, publisher, cultural project organizer, founder of Symbal.by: Sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment. He is on the list of terrorists; the Investigative Committee stated he “under the guise of cultural and historical development… spread ideas of Belarusian nationalism, the aim of which was to change the state power in Belarus”.
- Aliaksei Kuzmin, soloist of “Zakon Huka” musical group: Sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment.
What the International Community Can Do
Cultural actors are punished for preserving language, memory, and meaning. Their repression is not only a human rights issue but a cultural emergency.
We call on international institutions, cultural organizations, and democratic governments to:
- Publicly condemn the repression of cultural actors in Belarus;
- Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all cultural political prisoners;
- Support rehabilitation and international protection mechanisms for persecuted cultural professionals;
- Strengthen cultural solidarity by amplifying Belarusian cultural voices in exile.
| Last name, first name | Сultural activities | Court sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Alinevich Ihar | Writer, activist in the anarchist movement | Sentenced on 22 December 2021 to 20 years in a maximum-security penal colony |
| Alfiorava Neli | Craftswoman, artist, and writer | In June 2024, forcibly committed to psychiatric treatment |
| Aliaksandrau Andrei | Poet, journalist, and media manager | Sentenced on 6 October 2022 to 14 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Viachaslau (Vatslau) Areshka | Archivist, cultural studies scholar, historian, and public figure | Sentenced on 5 January 2023 to 13 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Babaryka Eduard | Head of the Ulej and MolaMola crowdfunding platforms supporting cultural initiatives | Sentenced on 5 July 2023 to 8 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Belavus Pavel | Art manager, co-founder and former head of “Art Siadziba”, founder of Symbal.by and the “Hodna” company | Sentenced on 11 May 2023 to 13 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Boika Yauhen | Historian, ethnographer | Sentenced on 12 June 2025 to 5 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Burlo Yauhen | Musician, member of the band Tor Band | Sentenced on 31 October 2023 to 10 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Vasilyeu Vadzim | Lighting technician at the “Lalka” Puppet Theatre | Sentenced on 11 November 2022 to 12 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Viarbitski Ivan | Artist, animator and video editor | Sentenced on 15 March 2021 to 10 years and 1 month in a maximum-security penal colony |
| Halavach Dzmitryi | Rock musician, member of Tor Band | Sentenced on 31 October 2023 to 9 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Herasimovich Cheslau | Musician, member of the band “Vedma” | Sentenced on 9 December 2024 to 5 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Hlushkou Yauhen | Musician | Sentenced on 20 January 2023 to 9 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Hundar Uladzimir | Local historian | Sentenced on 20 May 2021 to 20 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Dudnikov Yegor | Voice actor | Sentenced on 27 December 2021 to 11 years in a maximum-security penal colony |
| Zdaravennau Vadzim | Photographer | Sentenced on 10 November 2024 to 2 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Ivashyn Dzianis | Poet, journalist | Sentenced on 14 September 2022 to 13 years and 1 month in a maximum-security penal colony |
| Iliyash Ihar | Writer, journalist | Sentenced on 5 September 2025 to 4 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Krauchuk Vasil | Comedian, actor | Sentenced on 7 February 2022 to 2 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution; on 17 December 2024, the court replaced the sentence with imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony |
| Kuzmin Aliaksei | Lead singer of the band “Zakon Huka” | Sentenced on 18 September 2023 to 7 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Navahrodski Aliaksei | Writer | Sentenced on 29 December 2023 to 5 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Padrez Dzmitry | Street artist | Sentenced on 15 March 2022 to 7 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Pazniakevich Valery | Poet, bard | Sentenced on 14 August 2025 to 3 years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional institution |
| Palynskaya Tsina | Non-fiction writer | Sentenced in 2026 to 2 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Pitkevich Palina | Writer, actress, journalist | Sentenced on 7 March 2025 to 3 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Puhachou Tsimafei | Drummer | Sentenced on 29 January 2026 to 3 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Savin Uladzislau | Producer, blogger, poet | Sentenced on 26 October 2022 to 10 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Satsuk Siarhei | Science fiction writer, journalist | Sentenced on 26 October 2022 to 8 years under general-regime conditions |
| Stefanovich Rastsislau | Designer, architect | Sentenced on 19 July 2021 to 8 years in a high-security penal colony |
| Sychou Aleh | Printer | Sentenced on 4 October 2024 to 9 years under general-regime conditions |
| Trashchynski Yury | Sound engineer | Sentenced on 4 May 2026 to 2 years and 6 months in a general-regime penal colony |
| Frantskevich Aliaksandr | Writer, activist in the anarchist movement | Sentenced on 6 September 2022 to 17 years and 9 months in a maximum-security penal colony |
| Khamenka Aleh | Musician, radio host, teacher, composer, producer, leader of the band “Palac” | Sentenced on 4 March 2026 to 3 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Tsiushkevich Yahor | Musician, employee of a puppet theatre | Sentenced on 19 December 2024 to 6 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Shaliapina Aksana | Artist | Sentenced in November 2025 to 3 years in a general-regime penal colony |
| Shvedau Fiodar | “What? Where? When?” player | Sentenced on 19 April 2024 to 3 years and 6 months of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional institution (“khimiya”) |
| Yakauleva Iryna | Patron of the arts, volunteer | Sentenced on 19 March 2026 to 8 years and 6 months in a general-regime penal colony |
| Yaremchyk Andrei | Bass guitarist of Tor Band | Sentenced on 31 October 2023 to 7 years and 6 months in a high-security penal colony |
| Bachurynskaya Natallia | Photographer | Sentenced on 13 January 2026 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Vabishchevich Ivan | Musician | Sentenced on 10 December 2024 to 2 years and 6 months of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Krautsou Kiryl | Founder of the unique art village “Chyrvony Kastrychnik”, art manager, and craftsperson | Sentenced in 2025 to 4 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Kruk Hanna | Artist | Sentenced on 8 February 2024 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Lepushenka Maksim | Editor and administrator of the Belarusian Wikipedia | Sentenced on 8 August 2025 to 2 years and 6 months of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Mandzik Darya | Architect | Sentenced on 28 June 2024 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Masalevich Mikhail | Tour guide, local historian | Sentenced on 26 February 2026 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Palonski Illia | Architect | Sentenced on 28 June 2024 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Famin Dzmitry | Sound engineer | Sentenced on 29 October 2024 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Kharytonava-Kryzhevich Natallia | Craftswoman, jewelry designer | Sentenced on 9 August 2024 to 5 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Tserashkova Alena | Writer, surgeon | Sentenced on 20 June 2024 to 3 years of restricted freedom without being sent to an open-type correctional institution (“home khimiya”) |
| Ashurka Aliaksandra | Choreographer, founder of Devil Dance Studio | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Barsukova Alena | Actress, director, teacher of stage speech and acting | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Volski Anatol | Cultural events organizer, musician, DJ | Sentenced in 2025 under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Haurylavets Viktar | Promoter of the Belarusian language, physicist | Sentenced in 2025 under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Hrabitski Voitsekh | Choreographer, teacher | Sentenced on 21 November 2025 under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Dudko Hleb | Musician, co-founder of the ConcertMaster project | Sentenced on 9 July 2024, sentence unknown |
| Karaliova Sviatlana | Artist, musician, teacher of music disciplines | Sentenced in 2026 under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Laurynovich Pavel | Local historian | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Lohvin Valiantsina | Chair of the dissolved “Sich” Ukrainian Cultural Center in Minsk | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 130, Part 1 of Article 368, and Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Lukyanava Tatsiana | Musician, musicologist, chamber orchestra soloist, dance instructor | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Mankevich Stsiapan | Comedian, event host | Sentenced on 26 December 2024 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Monzul Uladzimir | Archivist | Sentenced in 2025 under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Navumovich Uladzimir | Bass guitarist of the cover band BAND 777 | Sentenced on 29 July 2024 under Part 1 of Article 368 and Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Pashkevich Pavel | Event host | Sentenced on 31 July 2024 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Pazharytski Aliaksandr | Accordionist, teacher | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Pazharytskaya Liliya | Accordionist, teacher | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Raviaka Ruslan | Writer, translator, journalist | Sentenced in 2025 under Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Rapavets Maryna | Music teacher, director of the “Pretty Bend” ensemble | Sentenced in 2025 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Salazhentsau Siarhei | Amateur dancer, prize winner in dance competitions | Sentenced in 2025 under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Sachyuka Dzmitryi | Musician, photographer | Sentenced on 22 July 2024 under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Sitnik Volha | Author of articles on the history and culture of Belarus, editor of the Belarusian Wikipedia | Sentenced in 2025 under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Staravoitau Yauhen | Local historian, creator of the “Mahilyou Chronicles” blog | Sentenced in 2025 under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Trubchyk-Dzivakova Nastassia | Librarian | Sentenced in 2025 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Yavid Katsiaryna | Actress | Sentenced on 12 August 2025 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code, sentence unknown |
| Yanouskaya Veranika | Singer, vocal teacher, owner of the “Artvocal” art school, co-founder of the “Pa-Dzeya” ensemble | Sentenced in mid-2025 under Article 342 of the Criminal Code; sentence unknown |
| Yaumenenka Viktar | Promoter of Belarusian history and culture | Sentenced in 2026 under Part 3 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code to imprisonment; sentence unknown |
| Babitski Dzmitry | Art manager, public figure, co-founder of the “Sklad Butelek” cultural initiative | Detained in November 2025. Held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 |
| Kaziuchyts Inha | Art manager | Detained on 10 February 2026 |
| Kolas Dzmitry | Translator, literary scholar, owner of the “Zmitser Kolas” publishing house | Detained on 17 February 2026. Held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 |
| Larychau Aleh | Art manager, street artist | Detained in December 2025. Held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 |
| Malashenkau Siamion | Art manager | Detained in November 2025 |
| Salash Siarhei | Art manager, public figure, co-founder of the “Sklad Butelek” cultural initiative | Detained on 12 November 2025 |
| Chumakou Aliaksandr | Researcher and restorer of traditional musical instruments, gusli player | Detained on 8 December 2025. Held in Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1 |
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