Belarusian authorities have transferred political prisoner Pavel Belavus, founder of the Symbal.by store and cultural manager, to Prison No. 4 in Mogilev in February. According to former political prisoners, he was moved without personal belongings and without an identification tag, which experts say often indicates a tightening of detention conditions or the initiation of additional legal proceedings. There is also a possibility that a new criminal case has been opened against him (as reported by Viasna96).
Pavel Belavus, born on August 22, 1987, is considered one of the prominent figures of Belarusian cultural life. He was the founder and director of the Art Siadziba cultural platform and the creator of the Symbal.by store, which promoted Belarusian national symbols. He was also among the organizers of the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic in Minsk in 2018.
Belavus was detained on November 15, 2021, after being summoned to the police. Initially, he was repeatedly subjected to administrative arrests, after which investigators charged him under several articles of the Criminal Code. The accusations included organizing actions that grossly violate public order, calls to harm national security, participation in or creation of an “extremist formation,” and treason.
His trial began in February 2023 in Minsk. Although initially open, the proceedings were soon closed to the public under the pretext of protecting sensitive information. On May 11, 2023, Belavus was sentenced to 13 years in a high-security penal colony and fined. In June 2023, the Belarusian KGB added him to the list of “terrorists,” which effectively prohibits financial support.
He initially served his sentence in Penal Colony No. 17 but has now been transferred to Mogilev prison, known for its particularly harsh conditions. According to former inmates, such transfers—especially without personal belongings—are often accompanied by increased pressure, including isolation and restricted communication.
Belavus is recognized as a political prisoner, and his case is part of the broader wave of repression in Belarus following the 2020 protests. His wife and two children are waiting for him at home. His case continues to draw attention from international human rights organizations, which warn of systematic persecution of civil society and cultural figures in the country.
