As part of the Day of Political Prisoners 2026, the Free Belarus Museum invites everyone to join a solidarity action - writing letters to Belarusian political prisoners prosecuted under Article 411.
In the Belarusian Criminal Code, Article 411 is used to bring imprisoned people to criminal responsibility while they are already serving prison sentences. The punishment is an additional prison term of up to two years.
Given the complete impunity of prison colony administrations and the established practice of legally sanctioned fabrication of violations, the regime has effectively created a legal basis for the possible life-long imprisonment of any political prisoner. Today, Article 411 remains an instrument of torture and a mechanism for the endless prolongation of political hostage-taking.
Since 2020, the use of Article 411 against political prisoners has become widespread. More than 80 people have already been convicted under this article. In some cases, Article 411 has been applied 2–4 times against the same person. At this very moment, around fifty political prisoners prosecuted under fabricated Article 411 charges continue to suffer behind bars.
We encourage everyone to join this action of solidarity and support for these people, whose physical and psychological condition - and even whose lives - are under real threat.
Letters and postcards can be written at the Free Belarus Museum (Foksal 11/1, Warsaw) from May 19 to May 24, between 12:00 and 20:00.
The museum expresses its gratitude to Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk for preparing materials for the action.
