Extradited protester Pinčuk investigated for extremism, prosecutors say

September 1, BPN. Extradited protester Jana Pinčuk is suspected of three criminal offences, the Prosecutor General’s Office reports.

She is investigated for creating an extremist group, inciting hatred and calling for overthrowing the government, prosecutors said. She allegedly created an “extremist” Telegram channel Viciebsk 97 Percent between September 2020 and November 2021.

Her case is being investigated by the Investigative Committee’s department in Viciebsk.

Pinčuk is a Belarusian national who lived in Russia. She was arrested in St Petersburg in November 2021.

In March 2022, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office decided to extradite the woman to Belarus at the request of the Belarusian authorities. In June 2022, the St Petersburg City Court recognized this decision as lawful.

The UN Human Rights Committee called on Russia to suspend the extradition while the international body was considering the detainee’s complaint.

Human rights groups say her persecution is politically motivated.