Mikalai Statkevich becomes 21st political prisoner in Belarus

Opposition politician Mikalai Statkevich has been recognized as a political prisoner. According to the human rights activists, he's 21st in Belarus. He's been kept in jail since May 31. At first it was an administrative penalty, now it's a criminal one. Statkevich is a suspect under the article "Preparation of actions grossly violating public order" (Part 1 Article 342 of the Criminal Code). Most of the detained bloggers and activists have been sentenced under this article.

As many as 21 people have been recognized as political prisoners. Apart from Mikalai Statkevich it was Ihar Losik, administrator of the telegram channel "Belarus of the Brain", who was recognized as a political prisoner.