Convicted regime critic goes on trial on new charge

December 27, BPN. Jailed regime critic Juryj Ziankovič, 45, has gone on trial in a district court on a new charge. The Belarusian-born US lawyer is accused of insulting a public servant, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Ziankovič’s case is being heard by the Minsk region’s Miadziel District Court. Human rights activists say this is not the first time a convicted political prisoner stands another trial on insult charges.

Ziankovič, involved in a case of “conspiracy to seize power,” was arrested on April 12, 2021. On September 5, the Minsk Regional Court sentenced him to 11 years in prison. The man signed a pre-trial agreement with investigators, pleaded guilty and helped investigators gather evidence against other defendants.