Former head of Łukašenka’s press pool jailed, wife fined

September 16, BPN. A court in Minsk on September 16 sentenced a former head of Alaksandr Łukašenka’s press pool, Dźmitryj Siemčanka, to 15 days in jail, fining his wife Julija Siemčanka 960 rubels (some $380), the Otrazheniye blog reported.

Julija was fined for a repost in her private messaging. The reason for Dźmitryj’s sentence remains unknown.

The couple were arrested the previous day. Julia was released shortly after, but police seized her mobile phone.

Dźmitryj Siemčanka spent 15 days in jail in September 2020 for alleged participation in antigovernment protests. He had resigned from state-run television channel ONT, where he had worked for 11 years, in protest against police violence towards protesters after the August 2020 presidential election.

He then pursued a career in public relations. His wife is a make-up artist.