Belarusian woman commits suicide after multiple politically motivated arrests

A Belarusian woman who has been repeatedly charged with political crimes committed suicide by throwing herself under a train on Tuesday, nonprofit organisation Dissidentby, which supports political prisoners in Belarus, reported on Wednesday.

Sviatlana Krutsikava, a 60-year-old from Belarus’ southwestern Pinsk region, had been arrested multiple times by the Belarusian authorities on politically-motivated charges, with her most recent court hearing taking place on 6 November.

Krutsikava was accused of “disseminating extremist materials”, charges commonly used by Belarusian authorities to repress anti-regime citizens, though the details of her case are not known.

According to friends who spoke to Dissidentby, Krutsikava felt she could no longer cope with the constant searches, arrests and psychological pressure being put on her by the police.

“She could not have had any other reason for such an act — she was very active and cheerful,” one friend said.

According to Belarusian independent newspaper Nasha Niva, Krutsikava, who leaves behind a daughter and a son, “loved flowers and dogs, travelled whenever possible and hosted guests at her home”.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sent condolences to Krutsikava’s family in a post on X on Wednesday, writing: “My heart aches for another life lost to this cruelty … Repression can break the strongest, but together we must stand firm.”