Viasna Human Rights Centre
Belarus · Viasna
01Overview
Quick Facts
CountryBelarus
Age / Sex53 · male
Occupation—
Arrested inMinsk, Minsk Region
Held atPenal Colony No. 17 Shklow
CategorySocial media
StatusConvicted
Sentence8 years
Belarus · context
1,277documented cases
393 urgent · 116 report torture
Most common grounds
Journalism
101
Legal Profession
11
Medical
2
Culture
1
Reports of Torture or Ill-treatment.
Subjected to physical abuse or severe ill-treatment in detention. Violation of international law.
Case Summary
Siarhei Palonis is a system administrator who was detained in Minsk as part of the 'Chat Case'. He was accused of participating in mass riots and property damage. He was sentenced to eight years in a high-security penal colony.
Key Facts
01 entries- 01[politzek] Сергей работает системным администратором в сфере локальных сетей, видеонаблюдения. Имеет высшее образование. Состоит в кинологическом клубе. У него есть две собаки, с которыми он участвует в благотворительных акциях с показательными выступлениями.
Native-Language SummaryBE • Original
Сяргей Плоніс — сістэмны адміністратар, які быў затрыманы ў Мінску ў межах «справы чата». Яго абвінавачвалі ў удзеле ў масавых беспарадках і пашкоджанні маёмасці. Ён быў асуджаны да васьмі гадоў калоніі ўзмоцненага рэжыму.
02Charges
Charges
02 count- 01Participation in mass riots
- 02Intentional destruction or damage of property
Criminal Code Articles
02 articleArt. BY-293Art. BY-218
03Analysis
Predicting Vector
Surveillance vector
Surveillance vectorUnknown
04Timeline
Case Timeline
Arrest date
October 2, 2020
Sentence served
5y 9mo / 8 years
05Sources
Data Source
Source vs. PPW analysis
ViasnaCase facts, charges, dates, and status.
PPW analysisRisk, surveillance & sentence estimates — probabilistic, not the source's reporting.
View all data sources →§ Updates
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Cite this case
Political Prisoner Watch. (2026). Case file: Siarhei Palonis (PPW case cmmkyhyn). Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmkyhynm00241vcf6te69oov. Original data from Viasna Human Rights Centre (https://prisoners.spring96.org/en/person/sjarhei-palonis).
Formats reflect this case as an online database record. Always verify the original source before citing in legal filings.