Court sentences dissident to eight-and-a-half years in prison on 10 charges

January 26, BPN. The Hrodna Regional Court has sentenced Illa Kraŭčeŭski, an opposition activist, to eight-and-a-half years in prison, the Viasna Human Rights Center reports.

Judge Ihar Sobaleŭ found the man guilty of disturbing order, insulting and libeling Alaksandr Łukašenka, slander, organizing riots, threats of violence, incitement to hatred, insulting a public official, illegal handling of personal data, and violence against police.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges of disturbing order and violence against police.

Kraŭčeŭski, whose persecution is widely seen as politically motivated, is on the official list of people involved in terrorist activities.