I have received disturbing news that the pre-trial detention of Belarussian Woman Human Rights Defender Maria Rabkova has been extended by three months. This is reportedly the fourth time that her pre-trial detention has been renewed and will leave her in detention until 17 September 2021.
Maria Rabkova, also known as Marfa Rabkova, was allegedly assaulted on the street and detained by Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK) of the Ministry of Interior as she made her way home with her husband on 17 September 2020. She has been indicted for “training or otherwise preparing of persons for taking part in mass disorders”, “involvement in a criminal organisation” and “intentional actions aimed at inciting racial, national, religious, linguistic or other social affiliation”.
She faces up to 12 years in prison.
Find more information on Maria’s case in the official letters sent jointly by several UN experts to Government of Belarus.
