Journalist Karniej on trial, accused of disobeying prison authorities

December 11, Pozirk. The Škłoŭ District Court in the Mahiłoŭ region has begun the trial of imprisoned journalist Ihar Karniej, according to a legal portal.

He is charged with malicious disobedience to prison authorities.

Alaksandar Tarakanaŭ, a judge on the European Union’s sanctions list, presides over the proceedings.

Karniej is serving his sentence at Škłoŭ’s Penal Colony No. 17. According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, the journalist was placed in an internal prison several times.

On June 28, officials added the reporter to their list of people “involved in extremist activities.”

The Minsk City Court sentenced Karniej to three years in prison on March 22. Judge Siarhiej Kacar found him guilty of association with an extremist group. Human rights defenders denounced the charge as politically motivated.

The journalist was arrested in July 2023.

Karniej has cooperated with independent media for many years.