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As of 15 August 2026, at least 126 cultural figures, including at least 22 writers, were either imprisoned or under home confinement. The number of banned books climbed to 375.
Poet, singer and musician Siarhiej Michałok was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison in the politically motivated criminal case.
A new criminal case was opened against political prisoner, photographer Vadzim Zdaravienaŭ.
A court in Belarus began hearing in absentia the politically motivated case against Kaciaryna Mankievič, vocalist of the band Dymna Lotva.
Former political prisoner and author of the prison memoir And All of This Is Within You: A Collection of Prison Essays, Mikoła Statkievič, stated that the stroke he suffered in prison had been deliberately induced.
A further nine books were banned.
The Instagram page VOLNY CHOR | FREE CHOIR was designated as “extremist”.
Several intellectual quiz events were cancelled in Hrodna.
І. Criminal prosecution of cultural figures, authors, and performers
1. On 4 August, it became known that the Minsk City Court had handed down an in-absentia sentence in the politically motivated criminal case against poet, singer and musician Siarhiej Michałok, sentencing him to four years’ imprisonment in a minimum-security penal colony. Michałok was convicted under Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code (incitement of hatred or enmity) and Part 1 of Article 368 (insulting the president). In 2025, Belarus placed him on its wanted list. He lived in Ukraine from 2015 until relocating to Estonia in 2022. He continues to tour across Europe and has publicly expressed support for Ukraine. He performs some of the best-known songs by his bands Lyapis Trubetskoy and Brutto in Ukrainian.
2. On 6 August, it became known that a new criminal case had been opened against political prisoner and photographer Vadzim Zdaravienaŭ. He faces charges under several provisions of the Criminal Code: Part 1 of Article 342 (organising, preparing or actively participating in actions that grossly violate public order), Part 1 of Article 130 (incitement of racial, national, religious or other social hatred or discord), and Parts 1 and 2 of Article 363-1 (unlawful handling of information relating to private life and personal data).
3. On 14 August, the Minsk City Court began hearing in absentia the politically motivated criminal case against Kaciaryna Mankievič, vocalist of the band Dymna Lotva. She is charged under Part 1 of Article 289-1 (propaganda of terrorism), Part 1 of Article 290-1 (financing terrorist activities), Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 (facilitating extremist activities), Article 366-1 (threat of violence against the president), and Part 1 of Article 368 (insulting the president).
ІІ. Banned books
1. On 4 August, it became known that the Kastryčnicki District Court of Minsk had designated three books as “extremist materials”: the collections Merciless Little Waltz and Night. And You… by Alaksandr Bal and Finish Off the Survivors: The Origins and Meaning of Russian Trumpism by Oleh Kashin. All three books were published in 2026. Alaksandr Bal is a Belarusian singer-songwriter. The banned collections contain his anti-war songs and socially engaged lyrics. Russian journalist Oleh Kashin’s book focuses on the Russo-Ukrainian war and global politics. The decision is significant for several reasons. More information is available at bannedbooks.penbelarus.org.
2. On 12 August, a further six books were designated as “extremist materials”: The Rise of Belarus by Piotr Rudkoŭski; The Young Front Generation: A History of the Youth Born in 1970-1985 by Pavieł Sieviaryniec; The Political System of the Republic of Belarus by Uładzimir Roŭda; The Price of Freedom, or the Confessions of an Opposition Politician by Siarhiej Skrabiec; Bykaŭ on Radio Liberty; and Non-Violence and Belarus.
This is already the fourth book by former political prisoner Pavieł Sieviaryniec to be banned. His books A Heart of Stone, I Love Belarus: 200 Phenomena of the National Idea, and Belarusalim. Book Two. Heart of Light had previously been added to the list of “extremist materials”. The editor and compiler of Bykaŭ on Radio Liberty is Siarhiej Navumčyk, whose books Ninety-Two and Ninety-Three had already been designated as “extremist”. More information is available at bannedbooks.penbelarus.org.
III. Conditions in places of incarceration
1. Former political prisoner and author of And All of This Is Within You: A Collection of Prison Essays, Mikoła Statkievič, stated that the stroke he suffered in prison had been deliberately induced: “The stroke was deliberately caused. They denied me medication that was vital to my survival.”
2. The eyesight of cultural scholar Vacłaŭ Areška, who is serving an eight-year prison sentence in a politically motivated case, has deteriorated so severely in detention that he now has to feel his way around the prison unit by touch.
IV. Cultural projects’ social media designated as “extremist”
The Instagram page VOLNY CHOR | FREE CHOIR was designated as “extremist”.
V. Cancellation of cultural and entertainment events
Several intellectual quiz events scheduled for August were cancelled in Hrodna. The organisers of VSpomnit VSio, Smuzi, Mazhabojnia, Tuc-Tuc, Ugadaj Melodiyu, and Matroška announced that their quiz events would not take place. Such intellectual entertainment events are now classified as mass events, meaning organisers must obtain prior authorisation from the local executive committee before they can be held.