Ziankovič given two more years for disobedience

October 7, Pozirk. Mahiloŭ’s Leninski district court has sentenced Juryj Ziankovič, a Belarusian-US lawyer serving a sentence for alleged conspiracy to assassinate Alaksandar Łukašenka, to two more years in prison, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

The judge found him guilty of disobeying prison authorities.

Officers Ziankovič was held in a punishment cell several times, and also was not allowed to receive money transfers, according to human rights defenders.

In protest, Ziankovič went on hunger strike a few times. His health deteriorated.

For some reason, several months ago, authorities transferred him to the Committee for State Security’s detention center.

In September, Ziankovič asked Łukašenka to pardon him and let him go to the USA. He also appealed to Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, candidates in November’s election, to help him return to the USA as soon as possible.

The Minsk Regional Court in September 2022 sentenced Ziankovič to 11 years in prison after finding him guilty of conspiracy to overthrow the government, forming an extremist group and incitement to hatred.

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