Sentence against former state TV anchor comes into force

February 24, BPN. The sentence of Dźmitryj Łukša, a former anchor at the Belarus 1 TV channel, and four other convicts in his case came into force, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported.

On February 24, the Supreme Court rejected their appeal against sentence. The appeal was heard by Judge Ihar Lubavicki, who had tried presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka.

On December 2, the Minsk City Court sentenced Łukša to four years in prison and a fine of 16,000 rubels (about $6,575); his wife Palina Pałavinka, to two and a half years; and a certain Dzianis Jaroŭski, to 18 months for allegedly discrediting Belarus and participating in protests. Pałavinka and Jaroŭski were ordered to pay a fine of 3,200 rubels each.

Another defendant in the case, Anastasija Jaroŭskaja is currently on the wanted list. She did not show up.

Judge Natalla Buhuk also sentenced cameraman Kanstancin Nikanoraŭ to three years of restricted freedom in home confinement and a fine of 3,200 rubels.

At least 32 journalists are kept behind bars, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) said.