Man sentenced to eight years in prison over Telegram messages, post-election protests

June 20, BPN. Puchavičy district resident Jaŭhien Lulkovič (38) has been sentenced to eight years in prison, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

The Mahiloŭ Regional Court (Judge Siarhiej Mazuraŭ) convicted him of inciting enmity and grossly disturbing public order.

According to investigators, from August 2020 to October 2021, Lulkovič incited social enmity by his posts in the Telegram messanger application, and from August to December 2020 actively participated in “group actions grossly violating public order.”

Lulkovič was arrested on September 21, 2021. First he was given a short jail sentance but was rearrested two months later on criminal charges.

Human rights activists declared Lulkovič a political prisoner in May 2022. They estimate the number of Belarus’ political prisoners at 1,223.