11/24/2020
It is with a heavy heart that Students For Liberty informs you that our student leader and civil rights activist, Piotr Markiełaŭ, has been once again arrested and jailed by the Belarusian authorities.
Piotr Markiełaŭ was detained on November 15, 2020, when he, together with thousands of Belarusian activists, went into the streets to commemorate Roman Bondarenko, a Belarusian artist who was severely beaten by unknown plain-clothes police officers in masks on November 11 and died the following day. Over a thousand activists were arrested for engaging in an unsanctioned rally.
On November 18, 2020, Piotr Markiełaŭ was sentenced to 15 days in prison under article 23.34 of the Administrative Code of Belarus for violating the rules of conduct of public gatherings. As a common rule, Piotr’s lawyer is denied visiting rights.
Students For Liberty joins the international community in their call to demand the immediate release of Piotr Markiełaŭ and all political prisoners and civil rights activists in Belarus.
We call for the European Community to resume their call for Belarusian authorities to stop the violence and inhumane treatment of the peaceful activists and civilians who support the movement.
Help us spread the word by demanding freedom and justice for Piotr.
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