BelaPAN trial postponed over participants’ illness

September 12, BPN. The trial in the “BelaPAN case” has been postponed due to the illness of those involved in the proceedings.

The closed trial was adjourned on June 29 for at least two months because of forensics and was set to resume on September 12 at 10:30 a.m. It is now expected to resume not earlier than September 15.

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 defendants are BelaPAN CEO and editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna, former CEO Zmitser Navažyłaŭ, former deputy director and media manager Andrej Alaksandraŭ and his wife Iryna Złobina.

They 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.

Alaksandraŭ and Złobina were arrested in January 2021, Leŭšyna and Navažyłaŭ, in August 2021.