Alexander Lukashenko’s regime has once again demonstrated its harsh and uncompromising policy towards opposition activists and human rights defenders by opening a criminal case against 78-year-old Belarusian woman Nina Baginskaya, who has long become a symbol of resistance in the country during the mass protests of 2020
This news has sparked a wave of outrage in the international human rights community and among those fighting for democratic values in Belarusian society. According to the Human Rights Center «Viasna» and sources from «Radio Svoboda», the case against Baginskaya was initiated due to her attempts to express her position in squares and streets of Minsk. Specifically, in October 2024, she appeared at public events in the city center with a white-red-white flag — a symbol of the Belarusian protest movement, representing aspirations for independence and European values. Additionally, small demonstrations using national symbols took place in various districts of Minsk, for which she was persecuted by security forces. According to sources, the criminal case, which has already begun in the Pervomaysky District Court of Minsk, concerns violations of Article 342-2 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, which prohibits "organization or participation in unauthorized mass events." This is the first such case to reach court out of six cases opened under this article since its introduction into the country’s criminal legislation. Human rights defenders report that throughout 2024, Nina Baginskaya was officially subjected to administrative responsibility three times under Article 24.23 of the Administrative Code for “unauthorized picketing,” with fines totaling 7,200 Belarusian rubles — approximately 180 basic units. Additionally, the activist has five more protocols for participation in protest actions. Multiple detentions and administrative arrests are part of her personal experience; she has sometimes been taken to police stations in handcuffs and fined for public order violations. Importantly, despite repression and pressure, Baginskaya refused to appear at court hearings, which became one of the reasons for initiating a criminal case against her. This case is particularly significant given that only six people have been sentenced under Article 342-2 of the Criminal Code in Belarus. This article was introduced in 2021 as a response by the regime to the growing activity of opposition forces and protest movement in the country. To open a criminal case under this article, it is sufficient to be administratively prosecuted twice within one year for participating in unauthorized rallies or pickets — and even minor citizen activities thus become subject to criminal persecution. During the investigation, Nina Baginskaya was repeatedly forced to undergo psychiatric evaluations, which has sparked additional criticism and outrage. All these measures are seen as attempts by the regime to portray the activist as potentially unstable or mentally ill, which could serve as a justification for political repression. Additional information: Nina Baginskaya, a professional geologist, has actively participated in human rights and heritage preservation initiatives in Belarus for many years. Since 1988, she has regularly taken part in protest actions, and in 2020, she became one of the most genuine symbols of resistance against Lukashenko’s regime following the falsification of the presidential election results. Her name has become emblematic in the history of the Belarusian civic movement, symbolizing resilience and the fight for democratic values, independence, and human rights. Despite prolonged repression by security forces, she has remained committed to her convictions and continues to fight for a better future for the country and its people, regardless of criminal persecution and psychological pressure.