Supreme Court upholds eight-year sentence for investigative journalist

February 10, BPN. The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Ej.by editor Siarhiej Sacuk against an eight-year prison sentence, said the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Law enforcers arrested Sacuk, a prominent investigative journalist, on December 8, 2021. On the same day, the Ministry of Information blocked access to Ej.by, a news and analysis website that he founded.

On October 26, the Minsk City Court sentenced him to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of abuse of office, inciting hatred and taking a bribe.

The BAJ said that Sacuk presented an 85-page file to defend himself during the appeal hearing. The Supreme Court heard his appeal behind closed doors.