BelaPAN case appeal scheduled for January 6

December 16, BPN. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by convicted BelaPAN journalists on January 6, 2023.

On October 6, judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka of the Minsk Regional Court sentenced CEO and editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna to four years in prison. The previous CEO, Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, was given six years; former deputy CEO Andrej Alaksandraŭ, 14 years; his wife Iryna Złobina, nine years.

On top of that, the judge fined Navažyłaŭ 22,400 rubels (some $8,900), Złobina 25,600 rubels and Alaksandraŭ 32,000 rubels.

The defendants were accused of creating an extremist group (Alaksandraŭ, Leŭšyna, Navažyłaŭ), treason (Alaksandraŭ, Złobina), tax evasion (Alaksandraŭ, Navažyłaŭ), and organization of actions grossly disturbing public order (Alaksandraŭ and Złobina). Human rights groups consider all four political prisoners.

On October 20, media reported that the four appealed against the verdict.

At least 32 journalists are in prison, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) said. Many independent reporters have left the country for fear of reprisals.