BelaPAN trial to resume on September 12

September 6, BPN. The BelaPAN trial will resume on September 12.

The media company’s CEO and editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna and 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, known for his harsh decisions.

The trial was adjourned on June 29 because of forensics.