The vice President of the International Human Right Federation and head of Viasna is marking his birthday in Babruisk prison #2.
Ales Byalyatski was detained on August 4, 2011. He was accused of major tax evasion. The human rights activist was imprisoned for 4.5 years in November 2011. His property had to be confiscated.
The human rights defender’s bank accounts in Lithuania and Poland were the reason for the prosecution, BelaPAN reports. The court did not take into account the fact that the money was used for human rights activities. The court also ignored the fact that the damage Byalyatski was said to have done to the state was compensated by Belarusian citizens’ donations.
Byalyatski’s arrest drew a wide response. He was announced a prisoner of conscience and the international democratic community, the EU and USA demanded to release him.
Ales Byalyatski will be released in February 2016.
