Tut.by defendants put on wanted list – reports

January 9, BPN. Former Tut By Media employees Volha Łojka, Alena Tałkačova and Kaciaryna Tkačenka have been put on a wanted list, pro-government media say.

They would be brought to justice in a separate proceeding.

The Tut By Media trial started at the Minsk City Court on January 9, behind closed doors.

The Prosecutor General’s Office listed CEO Ludmiła Čekina, editor-in-chief Maryna Zołatava, politics and economy editor Volha Łojka, journalist Alena Tałkačova and legal adviser Kaciaryna Tkačenka as defendants.

The latter three did not show up for the hearing. They left Belarus after their release from custody, a source told BPN.

Authorities accuse Čekina, Zołatava, Łojka and Tałkačova of tax evasion, inciting hatred and calling for sanctions; Tkačenka, of tax evasion and participation in protests.

Tut By Media ran Tut.by, Belarus’ most popular news portal that was crushed by the government.

In October, the Committee for State Security (KGB) added Zołatava, Čekina, Łojka and Tałkačova to its list of “individuals and entities involved in terrorist activities.”