Nexta journalists to be prosecuted in absentia

December 9, BPN. Belarusian investigators have opened special proceedings against the founder of the Nexta media project, Ściapan Puciła, and a member of his team, Jan Rudzik.

The Investigative Committee said they were charged with inciting social hatred, organizing mass riots, conspiring to seize power and other crimes.

Previously, the committee said that Puciła used the Nexta channel on the Telegram messenger application to coordinate extremist and terrorist protest activities in Belarus.

Special proceedings are criminal proceedings against those living abroad and evading contact with investigators. They may lead to trials in absentia and the named individuals’ losing their citizenship.