Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau: “The fact that the number of political prisoners has dropped below 900 for the first time in four years, unfortunately, gives no grounds for optimism. Behind this lies continued repression. The system has not changed. The conveyor belt of political persecution is operating without interruption.
While some are being released, others are being imprisoned and handed harsh sentences. We are seeing new waves of persecution, now against believers, clergy, and women. According to human rights defenders at Dissidentby, as of February 1, 2026, at least 207 people had been identified as facing criminal prosecution on political grounds. Of them, no fewer than 41 are already behind bars.
This is a vicious cycle, a system of repression that has nothing to do with law or justice.
Without a full and unconditional end to repression, this number will only rise again. The only real solution is a complete halt to political persecution and the release of all political prisoners”.
