People’s Self-Defense Units sentences delivered

December 5, BPN. The Minsk Regional Court has announced a guilty verdict against five defendants in the case of People’s Self-Defense Units (OGSB), a resistance group, the Viasna human rights center reports.

Judge Siarhiej Jepichaŭ sentenced Alaksiej Hłotaŭ and Dźmitryj Sasnoŭski to 20 years in prison and a fine of 22,400 rubels (some $9,000). Vadzim Hulevič received 18 years and a fine of 19,200 rubels. Natalla Maćviejeva – 14 years and 12,800 rubels. Kirył Ašurak – 13 years and 12,800 rubels.

Official reports suggest that Hulevič, Ašurak and Hłotaŭ were arrested for an attempt to blow up a communication center in Vilejka, Minsk region. Maćviejeva was arrested for attempted destruction of logging equipment at a forestry farm. Sasnoŭski was arrested for attempted murder of state television journalist Ryhor Azaronak.

Alaksandr Łukašenka told his supporters about the OGSB members on July 2, 2021. Television channel ONT released a film detailing the case. Human rights activists point out that Łukašenka’s remarks, the propaganda film and official press releases are the only sources of accusations against the defendants whose arguments are unknown to the public.