Osif Sanavbarov — sentenced to 7 years for Religious Beliefs An 18-year-old man, Osif Sanavbarov, was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan for allegedly ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq8q1gyx0009ca41jhk5s1bc #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Tajikistan

Afgan Sadigov — detained for Journalism in Georgia Journalist Afgan Sadigov has been arrested in Azerbaijan following his deportation from Georgia. His lawyer claims the arrest is part of a ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq8q1fig0007ca41cygiyutg #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Georgia

Ali Kerimli — detained for political in Georgia Ali Kerimli, chairman of the opposition People's Front party, has had his pre-trial detention extended until November 2026. He faces potential... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq8q1a920002ca41iyji3zlu #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Georgia

Muratbai Zhumagaliev — detained for Activism in Kazakhstan Social activist Muratbai Zhumagaliev has been detained for two months in Aktau. While police claim drugs were found, his family ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq4ji52j0003cagp8tdh2050 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Anderson James Scott Rice — sentenced to 19 years for other Anderson James Scott Rice received a 19-year sentence, including 5 years in a prison facility. He is facing multiple charges includ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq4iooy30001cae4e6ppxgk4 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Russia

Aleh Huryn was once an investigator for the Belarusian state. Today, he is a prisoner of that same state. A former law enforcement officer from Niasviž, he now serves a three-year sentence for a crime that defines the current crackdown in Belarus.

Artyom Arturovich Basyrov — sentenced to 12.25 years for Activism Artyom Basyrov was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for attempting to join the 'Freedom of Russia Legion' and subsequent ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq12ibk100061vdj0qt41s0f #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Russia

Mikhail Kondratyev — sentenced to 16 years for Social Media Posts A resident of Samara, born in 1990, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for high treason and justifying terrorism. He was acc... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq13e94c00051vmbbegpwn3o #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Russia

Anatoliy Marchuk — sentenced to 13 years for political Anatoliy Marchuk, a 38-year-old Ukrainian citizen, was sentenced to 13 years in a strict regime colony by a Russian-controlled court. He... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmq13e5cy00011vmbdub0wabh #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Russia

Our models flagged a 3.0x baseline surge in intercepted communications prosecutions under Article 275 УК in Russia. Footprint spans Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, and the USA, indicating cross-border monitoring or targeting of dual nationals. politicalprisonerwatch.org/leads

Vladimir Grabovetsky — sentenced to 14 years for political Vladimir Grabovetsky was sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason. He was accused of organizing money transfers to the Ukrai... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpyyku9a000i1vj6pddzplmd #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Russia

Mansur Movlaev — detained for Activism in Kazakhstan Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev, who sought asylum in Kazakhstan, had his appeal for refugee status rejected. He faces extradition to ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpyyivhd00081vj6go1fojyl #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Yulia Emelyanova — detained for Activism in Kazakhstan Russian activist Yulia Emelyanova, a member of the Navalny headquarters, has had her refugee status application rejected for a secon... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpwv830n000h1vgpuu1fagqj #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Our founder Steve Swerdlow was denied entry to Kyrgyzstan on May 19th while leading 16 USC students on a Central Asia research trip. Two decades of his work documenting political prisoners in the region. We stand with Steve and with Kyrgyz defenders. timesca.com/american-pro...

When they took him, we were holding hands, and they ripped us apart. These are the words of Nino Tsulaia, whose 22-year-old son Giorgi Mindadze was arrested by Georgian law enforcement on December 1, 2024. He is now facing charges that threaten his future.

4 years ago today, lawyer Anastasija Lazarenka was arrested in Belarus for her legal profession. She was convicted for allegedly leaking information and participating in 2020 protests. Sentence: 6 years https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmjniles00i51vyakxwh6x2v

From May 25 to June 1, 2026, 165 cases of political prisoners were documented. The number of newly documented cases increased substantially from 20 in the previous week, representing a 725% increase, while new arrests decreased by 20% from 5 to 4 cases. politicalprisonerwatch.org/digest

Uladzislau Sinkevicz — sentenced to 3 years for other Uladzislau Sinkevicz was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in a high-security colony. He was charged with inciting hostility and assisti... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpvvwbkl000f1vrvebps5p6s #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Sjarhei Kaczalka — detained for other in Belarus Sjarhei Kaczalka, originally from Smorgon, was detained in July 2025. He is facing charges of high treason under Article 356 of the Criminal ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpvvnej900041vrv8p1auvhn #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Uladzimir Herasimau — detained for other in Belarus Uladzimir Herasimau was detained on April 28, 2026, in connection with donations related to the war in Ukraine. He is charged under Articl... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpvvncnm00021vrvwc4pill2 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Asylbek ZHAMURATOV — sentenced to 7 years for Activism A private entrepreneur and member of Alga Kazakhstan accused of sending money transfers to Mukhtar Ablyazov's foreign accounts. The ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmcdo63x000w1v3gex8lnwbs #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Daniyar ADILBEKOV — sentenced to 4 years for Journalism A journalist from Astana who ran a Telegram news channel covering corruption. His charges are linked to his publications on the cha... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmcdobwk00131v3gpo31rejl #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Temirlan ENSEBEK — detained for Social Media Posts in Kazakhstan Author of the satirical Instagram blog QazNews24. He was detained after publishing satirical news regarding the leadership... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmcdohpy001a1v3ga3dgpdt7 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Abdulla Orusov — detained for other in Turkmenistan Abdulla Orusov was detained in Turkey and is believed to have been forcibly returned to Turkmenistan in July 2025. He is suspected of... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmplyb3km00031v63fv40haqw #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Turkmenistan

2 years ago today, journalist Farid Mehralizada was arrested in Azerbaijan for his work. He remains imprisoned on retaliatory charges. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmp4c9cox00lmcag690a6lizt #OnThisDay #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights

Veronika Belotserkovskaya, a 54-year-old blogger, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Though she lives abroad, the Russian state has moved to dismantle her life, seizing her property and labeling her a foreign agent for her online presence.

Imagine spending years in a penal colony because of what you posted online. This is the reality for Dzmitryi Luhovich, a 33-year-old from Mazyr, Belarus, who has been removed from society for his digital footprint.

Aljaksandr Famin — sentenced to 3 years for Activism Aljaksandr Famin was detained in June 2025 and subsequently convicted by the Homel Regional Court. He was sentenced to three years of imp... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpr7f3dp000f1vuv4rysw01j #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Uladzimir Padabed — sentenced to 2 years for Activism Uladzimir Padabed was convicted in the Minsk City Court as part of the 'Gaiun Case'. He received a sentence of two years in a general re... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpr7ek6y000c1vuvcdifrpzx #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Aljaksandr Milkamanovicz — detained for Activism in Belarus Aljaksandr Milkamanovicz is a business finance specialist and co-founder of the 'Malimon' online lending platform. He was detained... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmpr7ej9l000b1vuvgly1mbft #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Belarus

Our findings show that Belarus relies unusually heavily on financial support cases. Financial support drives 16% of Belarus’s 549 prosecutions with an identified basis—2.0× the global norm of 8%. Find out more at: politicalprisonerwatch.org/leads

4 years ago today, human rights defender and lawyer Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov was arrested in Tajikistan for his activism. He was sentenced to 16 years. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmorrqvo400081v82malfmwua #OnThisDay #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights

Farhat Meymankuliev — detained for other in Turkmenistan Following his deportation from Turkey in May 2023, Meymankuliev was reportedly arrested and handed a lengthy prison sentence. He... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmplyb3nd00041v63n2eo9efn #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Turkmenistan

Alisher Sakhatov — detained for other in Turkmenistan Alisher Sakhatov was detained in Turkey and reportedly forcibly returned to Turkmenistan in July 2025. His current whereabouts are ... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmplyb3jc00021v63uh164cl0 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Turkmenistan

Alimnur Turganbay — sentenced to 2 years for other Alimnur Turganbay is a Kazakh citizen who was arrested while visiting China. He was handed a 2.5-year prison sentence on undisclosed charges,... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmplxpg3f00011vuekeuk8t51 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #China

At 62 years old, Anatol Zmitrovich is behind bars in Belarus. His crime was not violence, but words. He was detained in Minsk on April 22, 2025, and has been sentenced to 10 months in a general-security penal colony.

Data analysis of repression patterns in Central Asia reveals a growing trend of targeting multi-dimensional activists. Even when specific arrest details remain obscured, the profile of those at risk is becoming increasingly clear.

Alibek Moldin — detained for other in Kazakhstan An activist who faced multiple administrative arrests for protesting Chinese investments and disobeying police. He was immediately rearres... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmply9rkm00081v2rino8he3m #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Kazakhstan

Malikberdi Allamyradov — detained for other in Turkmenistan Allamyradov was reportedly forcibly returned from Russia to Turkmenistan in December 2023. He was subsequently charged with f... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmplyb3on00051v63xf46vgmq #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Turkmenistan

A 59-year-old nurse and caregiver for her elderly mother has been sentenced to 8 years in prison. Olga Sergeevna Menshikh was arrested in Moscow on September 12, 2024, following posts regarding military actions in Bucha and Vinnytsia.

Over 50% of the 4,970 documented political prisoners were detained for journalism. With 22 new cases this week and 244 reports of torture, the crisis continues to escalate across Belarus, Russia, and Turkey. Source: politicalprisonerwatch.org

5 years ago today, journalist Raman Pratasevich was arrested in Belarus for his work with NEXTA. Imprisoned since May 23, 2021, on anti-state charges. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmp4eo1cz00s7ca53o70byw5q #OnThisDay #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights

3 years ago today, Ukrainian citizen Ablyamet Memetshaev was arrested in Russia. A father of a young child, he was sentenced to 5 years for allegedly participating in an armed formation. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmi8bjtfv0058lipf2mhq2h6j

4 years ago today, lawyer Vital Brahinec was arrested in Belarus for his legal work defending political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski. He was stripped of his license and sentenced to 8 years. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmjnivai00i81vya1l96iz9j

Political Prisoner Watch tracked 5 new arrests and 654 case updates during May 11–17. Russia accounted for all new cases, while Belarus led updates with 619 cases. https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/digest/2026-W20 #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights

Dildora Khakimova — sentenced to 6 years for Activism Dildora Khakimova is a teacher, blogger, and civil-society activist who publicly criticized corruption in the education system and pr... https://prisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmoru6emj000f1vcvvi1431wq #PoliticalPrisoners #HumanRights #Uzbekistan

At 58 years old, entrepreneur and activist Ramilya Galim has been sentenced to 5 years in prison. Her crime was not violence, but a YouTube video urging mobilized soldiers to return home. Her case is a stark example of the tightening grip on dissent in Russia.

Alina Szaucova is a 22-year-old student from Minsk who was sentenced to three years in a general regime colony. Her crime was not violence, but participation in a leadership program that the state has deemed a threat to national security.

A 24-year-old father has been stripped of his freedom in the Kherson region. Ablyamet Alievich Memetshaev, an agricultural worker and father of a young child, was sentenced to 5 years in prison following his arrest on May 23, 2023.

A journalist's job is to report the truth, but in Belarus, the truth is treated as a crime. Katsiaryna Barysevich, a journalist for Tut.by, has been silenced by the state for simply doing her work.