Judgment against Belarusian human rights defender

Norway condemns the sentencing of the prominent Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. “There are strong indications that the judgment is politically motivated,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented. 

Ales Bialiatski is head of the human rights organisation Viasna, which cooperates closely with Norwegian human rights organisations. Mr Bialiatski was sentenced Thursday to four and a half years’ imprisonment and the confiscation of property for alleged tax evasion. 

“The sentence against Mr Bialiatski is a violation of fundamental human rights in Belarus. The persecution of individuals and organisations with completely legitimate operations must be condemned in the strongest terms. I reiterate my appeal to the Belarusian authorities to respect the country’s international obligations, and to release all political prisoners immediately,” said Mr Støre.