Pro-Ukraine singer sentenced to home confinement

January 20, BPN. A district court in Minsk has sentenced singer Meryjem Hierasimienka to two years of restricted freedom without referral to an open-type correctional facility, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

This type of sentence implies that she will be confined to her residence during non-working hours and be required to retain or seek employment. Police can visit her anytime to make sure she complies with the terms of confinement.

The 28-year-old was charged with disorderly conduct.

In the evening of August 3, Hierasimienka had a gig on the terrace of the Banki-Butylki bar in Minsk, during which she electrified the crowd with songs by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy. Fans shared videos from the concert on social media, accompanying them with stickers in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. After the gig, the singer went silent on social networks, and no-one was answering the phone at her studio.

On August 5, Viasna quoted pro-government Telegram channels as saying that Hierasimienka was arrested for donating to a campaign to buy Ukraine a Bayraktar combat drone.

She received two consecutive 15-day jail sentences before a criminal prosecution was brought against her.