More than 800 political prisoners in Belarus are subjected to regular torture.

Omissions

• The claim does not cite a source. The number of political prisoners fluctuated significantly: Viasna reported 1,158 political prisoners as of January 2026, and approximately 250 were released on 19 March 2026, bringing the total to roughly 900 — still above 800 but the exact figure at the time of the session is unclear.
• The claim asserts that 'more than 800' are 'subjected to regular torture.' Human rights sources document torture as systematic and widespread among political prisoners but do not provide a precise count of victims. The formulation could be read as applying torture to the entire population of over 800, which is consistent with reports of systematic practice but is not a precise headcount of torture victims.
• The UN OHCHR press release from June 2026 was published in the same month as the session; it is unclear whether the MEP could have seen it before speaking.

Sources

• PrimaryHuman Rights Center Viasna (spring96.org)The total number of political prisoners in Belarus at the end of the month was 1,158, including 172 women. (January 2026)
• PrimaryHuman Rights Watch – World Report 2026Torture and Ill-Treatment of Political Prisoners. Belarusian authorities continued to use torture and other ill-treatment against political prisoners... Between January and September 2025, at least 74 political prisoners were released by presidential pardons.
• PrimaryUN OHCHRUN human rights experts expressed grave concern over the continued detention, alleged ill-treatment and denial of adequate medical care of political prisoners in Belarus.
• SecondaryArticle 19250 political prisoners including key figures for the Belarusian democratic movement have been released on 19 March 2026.