Opposition leader’s husband to be tried for disobeying prison authorities

February 1, BPN. Jailed former presidential hopeful Siarhiej Cichanoŭski will go on a new trial on February 14 on charges of malicious disobedience to the prison authorities, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Investigators say that he “systematically disobeyed the legitimate demands of the prison administration, provoked conflicts, including with other prisoners, and was repeatedly punished for this.”

Judge Ivan Hrynkievič from Žodzina, Minsk region, will preside over the proceedings.

In December 2021, authorities sentenced Cichanoŭski to 18 years in a high-security penal colony. In August 2022, a court in Mahiloŭ ruled to transfer him to prison for the next three years.

Other defendants in the Cichanoŭski case were given lengthy prison sentences for alleged rioting, inciting social hatred and discord and obstructing the work of the central election commission.

In June 2022, the Committee for State Security (KGB) added Cichanoŭski to the list of persons involved in “terrorist activities.”

Human rights defenders say his persecution is politically motivated.