BelaPAN CEO term in custody extended

September 3, BPN. BelaPAN CEO and editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna’s detention has been extended until September 28.

Leŭšyna, as well as the media company’s former CEO Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, were arrested on August 18, 2021. They are on trial together with the company’s former deputy CEO Andrej Alaksandraŭ and his partner Iryna Złobina. The couple was arrested on January 12, 2021.

The defendants are accused of creating an extremist group (Alaksandraŭ, Leŭšyna, Navažyłaŭ), treason (Alaksandraŭ, Zlobina), tax evasion (Alaksandraŭ, Navažyłaŭ), and organization of actions grossly disturbing public order (Alaksandraŭ and Złobina, who paid protesters’ fines). All four were recognized as political prisoners by human rights groups.

The trial opened in the Minsk Regional Court on June 6. The case is being heard by Judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka.

On June 29, the trial was adjourned for at least two months because of forensics. It is expected to resume after September 5.