WHRD Nasta Loika transferred to Homel Penal Colony
On 23 October 2023 colleagues of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika reported that over the weekend, between 22 and 23 October 2023, prison Authorities transfered Nasta Loika to the Homel Penal Colony #4, where she will be serving her sentence.
On 13 October 2023, the Belarus Committee for State Security (KGB) included Nasta Loika in a list of “persons, participating in terrorist activities.”
On 3 October 2023, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld the decision of the Minsk City Court to sentence woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years imprisonment.
On 20 June 2023, Minsk City Court sentenced woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years in prison. The Court found her guilty of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
On 30 May 2023, Minsk City Court announced 13 June 2023 as the starting date of the trial against woman human rights defender Nasta Loika. Alyona Shilko will be the presiding judge in Nasta Loika’s case. On 19 April 2023, colleagues of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika reported that the investigation confirmed the final accusation.
On 22 March 2023, woman human rights defender and lawyer, Inessa Olenskaya, who acted as a defense attorney for the woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, failed to pass the attestation by the Qualification Commission under the Ministry of Justice, which will lead to the lawyer’s eventual disbarment. This is the second human rights lawyer working on Nasta Loika’s case, who was disbarred. In November 2022, another woman human rights defender and human rights lawyer defending Nasta Loika, Tatsiana Lishankova, was detained and subsequently lost her license to practice law. Front Line Defenders considers such targeting of human rights lawyers working on Nasta Loika’s defense as a systemic violation of the woman human rights defender’s right to defense.
On 24 December 2022, Belarusian law enforcement officials transferred woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to pre-trial detention center No.1 in Minsk.
On 14 December 2022, woman human rights defender Nasta Loika was sentenced to another 15 days of administrative detention for “petty hooliganism” (Article 19.1 of the Cove of Administrative Offences) by the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus. This is the sixth time in the past four months, and the fourth detention in a row for the woman human rights defender.
On 29 November 2022, for the fifth time in a period of three months, the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus, sentenced woman human rights defender, Nasta Loika to another 15 days of administrative detention under “petty hooliganism” charges.
On 31 October 2022, the Pieršamajski District Court in Minsk, Belarus sentenced woman human rights defender Nasta Loika under “petty hooliganism” charges under Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences to 15 days of administrative arrest. What prompted the charge was not reported. Prior to this sentence, on 28 October 2022, Nasta Loika was arbitrarily detained by security forces in Minsk, allegedly, for extremism charges. This was the third time the woman human rights defender was sentenced on the same charge since September 2022.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. Her work includes addressing repressive “anti-extremist” laws and advocating for the protection of migrants and the rights of stateless people in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where Nasta Loika previously worked, Human Constanta, which promoted public interests and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against civil society in the country. In 2022, Belarus Human Rights House named Nasta Loika as a woman human rights defender of the year.
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- 24 October 2023 : WHRD Nasta Loika transferred to Homel Penal Colony
- 17 October 2023 : Authorities list woman human rights defender Nasta Loika as a terrorist
- 4 October 2023 : Supreme Court of Belarus upholds Woman Human Rights Defender Nasta Loika’s 7 year prison sentence
- 21 June 2023 : Belarus: Woman human rights defender Nasta Loika sentenced to seven years in prison
- 7 June 2023 : Trial date set for woman human rights defender Nasta Loika
- 21 April 2023 : Prosecutor confirmed the accusation for woman human rights defender Nasta Loika
- 5 April 2023 : Retaliations against lawyers representing Nasta Loika
- 3 January 2023 : Woman human rights defender Nasta Loika transferred to pre-trial detention center and faces criminal charges
- 21 December 2022 : Woman human rights defender Nasta Loika sentenced for 15 days of detention for “petty hooliganism” for the fourth time in a row
- 1 December 2022 : Woman human rights defender Nasta Loika sentenced to another 15 days of detention for “petty hooliganism”
- 16 November 2022 : Nasta Loika sentenced to another 15 days of administrative arrest for “petty hooliganism”
- 31 October 2022 : Woman human rights defender Nasta Loika sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest under “petty hooliganism” charges
On 23 October 2023 colleagues of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika reported that over the weekend, between 22 and 23 October 2023, prison Authorities transfered Nasta Loika to the Homel Penal Colony #4, where she will be serving her sentence. On 20 June 2023, the Minsk City Court found the woman human rights defender guilty of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. On 3 October 2023, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld this decision.
On 13 October 2023, the Belarus Committee for State Security (KGB) included Nasta Loika in a list of “persons, participating in terrorist activities.” This follows a ruling by the Supreme Court of Belarus on 3 October 2023, which upheld the decision of the Minsk City Court to sentence woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years imprisonment. It is still unclear when Nasta Loika will be transferred to the penal colony in Homel, where she is due to carry out her sentence.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. Her work includes addressing repressive “anti-extremist” laws and advocating for the protection of migrants and the rights of stateless people in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where Nasta Loika previously worked, Human Constanta, which promoted public interests and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against civil society in the country. In 2022, Belarus Human Rights House named Nasta Loika as a woman human rights defender of the year.
Belarus authorities published a list of organisations and individuals involved in terrorist activities, now known as the so-called “terrorist list,” in 2011. In the autumn of 2020, the authorities began to use the “terrorist list” as a repressive tool against Belarus civil society and human rights defenders.
The grounds for inclusion in the list are provided by Resolution #1256 of the Council of Ministers, issued on 30 December 2014: “On approval of the regulations on the procedure for determining the list of organisations and individuals.” According to Human Rights Center “Vyasna,” this constitutes arbitrary persecution of Belarus citizens for the fully or substantially peaceful and legitimate exercise and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Among the human rights defenders named on the list as having terrorist affiliations, the authorities also named woman human rights defender Nasta Loika. This is because the article she was found guilty of violating, namely Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord,” serves as automatic grounds to consider her a “terrorist.” As Nasta Loika is currently in detention, her inclusion in the so-called “terrorist list” will impact her ability to receive money transfers both in the pre-trial detention centre or in the colony where she is due to be sent. Not only will the post office reject the payment, the persons who attempt to wire her money will also be placed on a watch list for financing terrorism. In February 2022 Nasta Loika herself was placed on this watch list for financing terrorism as she tried to send money to a friend in prison who was listed as a terrorist too.
Front Line Defenders condemns the continued pressure that Belarusian authorities are exerting against woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, not only by labeling her as a terrorist, but also by limiting her ability to receive money in pre-trial detention and in the penal colony. Front Line Defenders expresses its grave concern at the systemic mistreatment and rights violations of the woman human rights defender throughout her detention. The persistent targeting of Nasta Loika reflects a wider trend of increased targeting of human rights defenders and civil society by the authorities in Belarus. Front Line Defenders once again calls upon the authorities of Belarus to immediately release the woman human rights defender, since the organisation believes that she is being repeatedly targeted as punishment for her peaceful human rights work in Belarus, and for her refusal to leave the country.
On 3 October 2023, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld the decision of the Minsk City Court to sentence woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years imprisonment. On 20 June 2023, the Minsk City Court found the woman human rights defender guilty of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. It is unclear when Nasta Loika will be transferred to the penal colony where she is due to carry out her sentence.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. Her work includes addressing repressive “anti-extremist” laws and advocating for the protection of migrants and the rights of stateless people in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where Nasta Loika previously worked, Human Constanta, which promoted public interests and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against civil society in the country. In 2022, Belarus Human Rights House named Nasta Loika as a woman human rights defender of the year.
Since her detention on 28 October 2022, Nasta Loika has been systematically denied the exercise of her rights while in prison. This includes prohibitions on her sending or recieving personal correspondence, amounting to a form of additional psychological pressure against the woman human rigths defender. Throughout this detention period, Belarus authorities have also targeted the lawyers who represented Nasta Loika as defense attorneys, subjecting them to various forms of retaliation, including detention and disbarment. The targeting of human rights lawyers in this way constiutes a systemic violation of the woman human rights defender’s right to defense. In the earlier days of her detention, Nasta Loika also reported that she was exposed to inhumane treatement, including physical and psychological violence.
Front Line Defenders condemns the decision of the Supreme Court of Belarus to uphold the sentencing of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to 7 years imprisonment, and expresses its grave concern at the systemic mistreatment and rights violations of the woman human rights defender throughout her detention. The persistent targetting of Nasta Loika reflects a wider trend of increased targeting of human rights defenders and civil society by the authorities in Belarus. Front Line Defenders continues to call upon the authorities of Belarus to immediately release the woman human rights defenders, since the organisation believes that she is being repeatedly targeted as punishment for her peaceful human rights work in Belarus, and for her refusal to leave the country.
On 20 June 2023, Minsk City Court sentenced woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years in prison. The Court found her guilty of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. The woman human rights defender will appeal this decision.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. Her work includes addressing repressive “anti-extremist” laws and advocating for the protection of migrants and the rights of stateless people in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where Nasta Loika previously worked, Human Constanta, which promoted public interests and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against civil society in the country. In 2022, Belarus Human Rights House named Nasta Loika as a woman human rights defender of the year.
Minsk City Court started reviewing the case against Nasta Loika on 13 June 2023. The presiding judge Alyona Shylko closed the hearing to the public, limiting the ability of the public or media to observe the trial and show support to Nasta Loika. Thus, the details of the proceedings are unknown. On 20 June 2023, the Court found the woman human rights defender guilty of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” and sentenced her to seven years in prison. These charges are based on the fact that, in 2018, Nasta Loika contributed to a human rights report concerning state-sponsored persecution of the anarchist community in Belarus. This report provided a human rights-based assessment of the activities of law enforcement officers in Belarus. The Court ruled that with this report Nasta Loika incited violence to a “social group of law enforcement officers.” The woman human rights defender will appeal this decision.
Nasta Loika has been in detention since 28 October 2022. On 31 October 2022, the Pieršamajski District Court in Minsk, Belarus sentenced the woman human rights defender to 15 days of administrative arrest under “petty hooliganism” charges as per Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences. The authorities then extended this 15-day detention four times, before transferring the woman human rights defender to a pre-trial detention facility. During the 58 days of administrative detention, the authorities subjected Nasta Loika to torture and inhumane treatment, and denied her the right to receive medication and warm clothes, and to access legal help. Nasta Loika’s mother’s house was raided in November 2022, in an act of pressure against the woman human rights defender. On 24 December 2022, Belarusian law enforcement officials transferred the woman human rights defender to Pre-trial Detention Centre No.1 in Minsk.
Front Line Defenders condemns the sentencing of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to seven years in prison, as the organisation believes that she is being targeted for her peaceful and legitimate human rights work. Front Line Defenders also expresses grave concern about the physical and psychological torture Nasta Loika was subjected to during her detention. The sentencing of Nasta Loika reflects the systemic aggravated attacks against human rights defenders and civil society by the Belarusian authorities. Front Line Defenders calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Nasta Loika.
On 30 May 2023, Minsk City Court announced 13 June 2023 as the starting date of the trial against woman human rights defender Nasta Loika. Alyona Shilko will be the presiding judge in Nasta Loika’s case. There is no information available as to whether the trial will be open to the public. The woman human right defender is accused of “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. These accusations are based on the fact that, in 2018, Nasta Loika contributed to a human rights report concerning state-sponsored persecution of the anarchist community in Belarus. This report provided a human rights-based assesement of the activities of law enforcement officers in Belarus. On these charges, Nasta Loika could face up to 12 years in prison.
On 19 April 2023, colleagues of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika reported that the investigation confirmed the final accusation. She being charged with “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per part 3 of the Article 130 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Nasta Loika could face up to 12 years in prison.
Previously the accusation included two charges: aside from incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord, she was accused of “organisation of group activities that gravely violate public order and include the obvious disobedience to the legal requirements of the government officials or the activities that have led to the disruption of the work of the public transit, enterprises, institutions, and organisations, or active participation in such activities in the absence of the signs of a more serious crime” as envisioned by the Article 342.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Nasta Loika remains in the Pre-trial Detention Center #1 in Minsk.
On 22 March 2023, woman human rights defender and lawyer, Inessa Olenskaya, who acted as a defense attorney for the woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, failed to pass the attestation by the Qualification Commission under the Ministry of Justice, which will lead to the lawyer’s eventual disbarment. This is the second human rights lawyer working on Nasta Loika’s case, who was disbarred. In November 2022, another woman human rights defender and human rights lawyer defending Nasta Loika, Tatsiana Lishankova, was detained and subsequently lost her license to practice law. Front Line Defenders considers such targeting of human rights lawyers working on Nasta Loika’s defense as a systemic violation of the woman human rights defender’s right to defense.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She also addresses repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates for the protection of the migrants and stateless people's rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organization where Nasta Loika previously worked – Human Constanta, which promoted public interests and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights – as a part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country. The woman human rights defender is the recipient of the Human Rights Defender of the Year 2022 award in recognition of her outstanding work from the Belarus human rights community. Inessa Olenskaya and Tatsiana Lishankova are women human rights defenders and lawyers, who defend the rights of political prisoners in Belarus.
On 22 March 2023, woman human rights defender and lawyer, Inessa Olenskaya, who acted as a defense attorney for Nasta Loika, failed to pass the attestation by the Minsk City Qualification Commission of the National Bar Association, which will lead to the lawyer’s eventual disbarment. The Qualification Commission stated that Inessa Olenskaya does not possess enough qualifications to act as a defense attorney. This is the second human rights lawyer working on Nasta Loika’s case who has been disbarred. On 29 November 2022, another woman human rights defender and lawyer, Tatsiana Lishankova, who acted as a defense attorney for Nasta Loika, was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest on “petty hooliganism” charges, a violation under Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. After the arrest, on 23 December 2022, the Minsk City Qualification Commission of the National Bar Association expelled Tatsiana Lishankova for alleged actions that discredit the Bar. On 22 January 2023, the Bar Qualification Commission of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus took away Tatsiana Lishankova’s license to practice law. The Belarus authorities engage in systemic persecution of human rights lawyers for their legitimate legal work, not only through disbarment, but also through administrative and criminal persecution.
On 24 December 2022, Belarusian law enforcement officials transferred woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to pre-trial detention center No.1 in Minsk. She is being charged with “organization of group activities that gravely violate public order and include the obvious disobedience to the legal requirements of the government officials or the activities that have led to the disruption of the work of the public transit, enterprises, institutions, and organizations, or active participation in such activities in the absence of the signs of a more serious crime” as envisioned by the Article 342.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. She is also being charged with “incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord” as per Article 130.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Nasta Loika could face up to 12 years in prison.
Front Line Defenders condemns the disbarment and any other persecution of Inessa Olenskaya and Tatsiana Lishankova. It believes that their disbarment is a clear reprisal for their legitimate and peaceful work as human rights lawyers on Nasta Loika’s case, and their targeting amounts to systemic violations of Nasta Loika’s right to defense. Front Line Defenders is concerned about the pattern of targeting human rights lawyers in Belarus with disbarment procedures. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika, along with targeting of her lawyers reflect the increasing attacks against Belarus' human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities. Front Line Defenders calls for the immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika and for an end to these repeated attacks against her.
On 24 December 2022, Belarusian law enforcement officials transferred woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to pre-trial detention center No.1 in Minsk. The woman human rights defender is being charged with at least two articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, one of them concerns the violation of public order, while the second one remains unknown at the moment.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She has also worked on the use of repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates the protection of the migrants and stateless people rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where she previously worked - Human Constanta - which promoted public interest and joint actions in response to current challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country.
On 24 December 2022, Belarusian law enforcement officials transferred woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to pre-trial detention center No.1 in Minsk. She is being charged with at least two articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. One of them concerns “organization of group activities that gravely violate public order and include the obvious disobedience to the legal requirements of the government officials or the activities that have led to the disruption of the work of the public transit, enterprises, institutions, and organizations, or active participation in such action in the absence of the signs of a more serious crime” as envisioned by the Article 342.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. The second charge remains unknown at the moment. On the first charge alone, Nasta Loika can face up to 4 years in prison.
Since 28 October 2022, Nasta Loika has remained in detention. The woman human rights defender has faced four consecutive and six overall administrative arrests for “petty hooliganism”. During Nasta Loika’s administrative detention, she was denied her right to access legal support and to receive medication, and warm clothes while in detention. Nasta Loika reported that while in detention, she was exposed to torture and inhumane treatment. Moreover, her mother’s home was raided, and colleagues suspect that this was an act of pressure against Nasta Loika. Belarus human rights defenders reported, that while woman human rights defender was in the Akrestina Detention Center, she was forced to remain in the courtyard without any outwear for 5-6 hours. Nasta Loika also wanted to declare a hunger strike, but the detention centre guards refused to provide her with a paper and a pen to write a statement.
Front Line Defenders condemns the charges against Nasta Loika and her placement in pre-trial detention. Front Line Defenders condemns the physical and psychological violence perpetrated against the woman human rights defender while in detention. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika reflect the increasing attacks against Belarus's human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities. Front Line Defenders call for the immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika and for an end to these repeated attacks against her.
On 14 December 2022, woman human rights defender Nasta Loika was sentenced to another 15 days of administrative detention for “petty hooliganism” (Article 19.1 of the Cove of Administrative Offences) by the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus. This is the sixth time in the past four months, and the fourth detention in a row for the woman human rights defender.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She has also worked on the use of repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates the protection of the migrants and stateless people rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where she previously worked - Human Constanta - which promoted public interest and joint actions in response to current challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country.
On 14 December 2022, woman human rights defender Nasta Loika was sentenced to another 15 days of administrative detention for “petty hooliganism” by the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus. The Court hearing took place online. Nasta Loika was scheduled to be released on 12 December 2022, yet on the day, her colleagues reported that she was not released and her whereabouts were unknown.
The colleagues of the woman human rights defender also reported that the UN Human Rights Committee registered a complaint against Belarus and adopted interim measures in Nasta Loika’s case. The complaint was filed under Articles 9 - right to liberty and security of a person (arbitrary detention) and 14 - right to fair trial of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under rule 94 of the Committee’s rules of procedure, the State party has been requested to provide Nasta Loika with immediate access to independent and adequate medical care, including a transfer to a relevant medical facility if necessary, providing her with the seasonally appropriate clothes,and to ensure that her life, physical and mental integrity are safeguarded, while her case is under consideration by the Committee.
This is the fourth consecutive and the sixth overall administrative arrest for “petty hooliganism” against Nasta Loika in 2022. During her previous periods of administrative detention, the woman human rights defender was denied her right to access legal support and to receive medication and warm clothes while in detention. Nasta Loika reported that while in detention, she was exposed to torture and inhumane treatment. Moreover, her mother’s home was raided and colleagues suspect that this was an act of pressure against Nasta Loika.
Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned about the repeated arrest and detention of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika. Front Line Defenders condemns the physical and psychological violence perpetrated against the woman human rights defender while in detention. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika reflect the increasing attacks against Belarus's human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities. Front Line Defenders call for the immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika and for an end to these repeated attacks against her.
On 29 November 2022, for the fifth time in a period of three months, the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus, sentenced woman human rights defender, Nasta Loika to another 15 days of administrative detention under “petty hooliganism” charges. Nasta Loika was initially scheduled to be released from her previous administrative detention on 26 November 2022. However, her colleagues reported that on her scheduled day of release they had no news about Nasta Loika’s whereabouts. The woman human rights defender is now scheduled to be released on 14 December 2022.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She has also worked on the use of repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates the protection of the migrants and stateless people rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where she previously worked - Human Constanta - which promoted public interest and joint actions in response to current challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country.
On 29 November 2022, the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, once again sentenced Nasta Loika to 15 days of administrative detention under “petty hooliganism” charges under Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences. On 28 November 2022, at 10 am Minsk time, the premises of Nasta Loika’s mother’s home were raided by the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Belarus officials. The Directorate is responsible for investigating criminal cases, however the woman human rights defender’s colleagues suspect that this was an act of pressure against Nasta Loika. At this stage it is unclear, whether Nasta Loika continues to be exposed to torture in detention.
This is the third consecutive and the fifth overall administrative arrest for “petty hooliganism” against Nasta Loika in 2022. During her previous periods of administrative detention, the woman human rights defender had no access to legal support and was denied the right to receive medication and warm clothes while in detention. Nasta Loika reported that previously, while in detention, she was exposed to torture and inhumane treatment.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned about the repeated arrest and detention of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, as well as troubling reports of physical and psychological violence that the woman human rights defender has been subjected to while in detention. Front Line Defenders also condemns the targeting of Nasta Loika’s mother. Front Line Defenders believes that the woman human rights defender is being repeatedly targeted for her peaceful human rights work in Belarus and for her refusal to leave the country. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika reflect the increasing attacks against Belarus's human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities. Front Line Defenders call for the immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika and for an end to these repeated attacks against her.
On 14 November 2022, the Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk, Belarus, once again sentenced woman human rights defender Nasta Loika to 15 days of administrative detention under “petty hooliganism” charges. Nasta Loika was initially scheduled to be released from her previous administrative detention, that commenced on 28 October 2022, on Saturday 12 November. However, the colleagues of the woman human rights defender reported that on the day of release they had no news about Nasta Loika’s whereabouts.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She has also worked on the use of repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates the protection of the migrants and stateless people rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where she previously worked - Human Constanta - which promoted public interest and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country.
On 14 November 2022, the Pieršamajski District Court in Minsk once again sentenced Nasta Loika to 15 days of administrative detention under “petty hooliganism” charges, Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences. The prosecution stated that Nasta Loika, while being held in one of the offices of the Pieršamajski Disctrict Depatment of the Ministry of Interior, shouted and behaved aggressively and defiantly, therefore violating public order and “showing obvious disrespect for society.”
During the Court hearing that Nasta Loika attended virtually, the woman human rights defender stated that she was exposed to physical and psychological violence during her detention. She was brought in for interrogation twice by the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Belarus officials, where she was once electrocuted with a stun gun. Nasta Loika also reported that on 11 November 2022, one of the officials from the Isolation Center forced her to stay in the yard without any coat for 8 hours, causing her a severe cold.
This is the second consecutive and the fourth overall administrative arrest for “petty hooliganism” against Nasta Loika in 2022. During her previous administrative detention, the woman human rights defender had no access to legal support and she was denied the right to receive medication and warm clothes while in detention. Nasta Loika’s colleagues reported that, despite the fact that detention center accepted the medications sent to the woman human rights defender, the parcel never reached her. The detention center officials continue to refuse to accept warm clothes and personal hygiene items for Nasta Loika.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned about the continuous arrests and detention of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, as well as horrific report of physical and psychological violence that the woman human rights defender is exposed to while in detention. Front Line Defenders believes that the woman human rights defender is being repeatedly targeted for her peaceful human rights work in Belarus and for her refusal to leave the country. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika is part of the increasing attacks against Belarus's human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities, and calls for immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika.
On 31 October 2022, the Pieršamajski District Court in Minsk, Belarus sentenced woman human rights defender Nasta Loika under “petty hooliganism” charges under Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences to 15 days of administrative arrest. What prompted the charge was not reported. Prior to this sentence, on 28 October 2022, Nasta Loika was arbitrarily detained by security forces in Minsk, allegedly, for extremism charges. This was the third time the woman human rights defender was sentenced on the same charge since September 2022.
Nasta Loika is a prominent Belarusian woman human rights defender working in the field of human rights education. She has also worked on the use of repressive “anti-extremist” laws, and advocates the protection of the migrants and stateless people rights in Belarus. In the summer of 2021, Belarusian authorities shut down the organisation where she previously worked - Human Constanta - which promoted public interest and joint actions in response to modern challenges in the field of human rights. The shut down was part of an orchestrated attack against the civil society in the country.
On 31 October 2022, Nasta Loika was sentenced by the Pieršamajski District Court in Minsk, Belarus to 15 days of administrative detention for “petty hooliganism” under Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences. The trial took place online with a lawyer present, but what prompted the charge was not reported. Nasta Loika is now detained in Akrestina detention centre in Minsk.
On 28 October 2022, at 2pm, the woman human rights defender was arbitrary detained by security forces in Minsk. At 6pm, one of the state-affiliated telegram channels published a video, where Nasta Loika, was handcuffed, and “confesses” that she received funding from foreign organisations. The officials accuse the woman human rights defender of “aiding extremism,” a criminal offence under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. In the video, woman human rights defender, admits to her participation in peaceful protests, confirmed that she worked for Human Constanta, a human rights organization that was shut down by the Belarusian Government. Working for an organisation that has been shut down is a criminal offence under Belarusian law. Nasta Loika also admitted on camera that Human Constanta received funding from Amnesty International. The post, published along with the video, suggests that receiving such funding designates the organisation as part of “the collective West sponsoring a revolution in Belarus.” The officials in the video calls the woman human rights defender a “famous fraudster.” On the same day, Nasta Loika’s apartment was raided by officials from the Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Belarus, and her equipment was confiscated.
Nasta Loika has repeatedly faced retaliation for her human rights work. Since 6 September 2022, she has been sentenced to two consecutive administrative detentions based on petty hooliganism charges. During her previous administrative detention, the woman human rights defender had no access to legal support and she was denied the right to receive medication and warm clothes while in detention.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned about the continuous arrest and detention of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika. Front Line Defenders believes that the woman human rights defender is being repeatedly targetted for her peaceful human rights work in Belarus. The persistent charges and arrests of Nasta Loika is part of the increasing attacks against Belarus's human rights defenders and civil society by Belarusian authorities, and calls for immediate and unconditional release of woman human rights defender Nasta Loika.
