Renowned investigative journalist to stand trial

August 30, BPN. Yezhednevnik editor in chief Siarhiej Sacuk will go on trial at the Minsk City Court on September 23, the Viasna Human Rights Center has reported.

Sacuk was arrested on December 8, 2021 on suspicion of taking a bribe. As his maximum period in custody was coming to an end, investigators said the journalist also incited hatred and abused his power.

Human rights groups consider Sacuk, well known for his investigative reports, a political prisoner.

His case is to be heard by Judge Śviatłana Bandarenka, who sentenced journalists before on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

For example, in March 2021 she sentenced journalist Kaciaryna Barysievič to six months in prison for unauthorized disclosure of health information in her article on circumstances surrounding the death of activist Raman Bandarenka.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), Belarus holds 28 media workers behind bars.