As of 30 April 2025, at least 163 cultural figures, including not less than 35 writers, were not free – imprisoned or in home confinement.
A trial in absentia began in the criminal case against cultural manager Alaksandr Łapko.
The Investigative Committee initiated a new criminal case in absentia against political scientist, translator, and book editor Aleś Łahviniec.
Information emerged regarding the possible detention of Belarusian Wikipedia administrator Volha Sitnik.
A court in Belarus designated the social media pages of the Dzieciuki band, its logo, and “any visual material or text of Dzieciuki, with or without inscriptions,” as “extremist”.
I. Criminal prosecution of cultural figures, authors, and performers
1. On 18 April, the Homiel Regional Court began a trial in absentia in a criminal case against seven civil society activists, including cultural manager Alaksandr Łapko.
2. On 26 April, it became known that the Investigative Committee had initiated a new criminal case in absentia against political scientist, translator, and book editor Aleś Łahviniec, located outside Belarus. The case was opened following a series of interviews he had given to independent media outlets. The new criminal case stems from the same four articles of the Criminal Code used to convict Łahviniec in 2024. On 1 July 2024, he was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison in the “20 Experts” case under the following articles: Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calls for actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus), Article 357 of the Criminal Code (conspiracy to seize power by unconstitutional means), Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creation or participation in an extremist formation), Article 130 of the Criminal Code (incitement of hatred or discord).
II. Administrative persecution
On 16 April, information emerged regarding the possible detention of Belarusian Wikipedia administrator Volha Sitnik.
III. Conditions in the places of incarceration
1. On 24 April, political prisoner, civic activist, and musician Maryja Kalesnikava turned 43 in Homiel’s women’s penal colony. According to her sister, Taсciana Chomič, Maria Kalesnikava continues to work in the sewing workshop. The prison administration accepts no parcels for her, and the family cannot send her money transfers, which means Maryja cannot buy foodstuffs in the prison shop. There is no communication — no letters, phone calls, parcels, or visits from her family.
2. On 18 April, a former political prisoner who served time in Penal Colony No. 22 in Ivacevičy told human rights defenders about the health condition of 70-year-old cultural scholar Viačasłaŭ Areška: “He tried to obtain disability status due to poor eyesight, as he cannot see beyond arm’s length. But the prison authorities took no action.”
IV. Repression in the music sphere
On 24 April, the Leninski District Court of Hrodna declared the social media accounts of the Dzieciuki band, its logo, and “any visual material or text, with or without inscriptions” as “extremist”.
V. Persecution of relatives of cultural figures
On 26 April, three security officers questioned the father-in-law and mother-in-law of Aleś Łahviniec and, in their presence, sealed his house as per the 31 March 2025 decision by investigator A. Šrubik.