Court sentences man deported from Russia to four years in prison

January 13, BPN. The Brest Regional Court has sentenced Jury Kaściuk, 25, to four years in prison for helping political prisoners receive aid. Judge Śviatłana Kramianieŭskaja ruled it amounted to support of extremist activity. The Viasna Human Rights Center reported that the man pleaded not guilty and refused to testify.

The Belarusian authorities have been intimidating the Brest resident since 2020. In 2022, he was put on the international wanted list and arrested in the Russian resort town of Sochi. Russia deported him on October 16. In protest against one deportation attempt he cut his stomach at the airport.

Human rights activists insist that Kaściuk’s persecution is politically motivated.