Criminal case opened against prominent politician’s jailed son

April 30, BPN. Officials in Belarus filed an extremism funding case against Arciom Labiedźka, serving two consecutive 15-day jail terms, his father, a prominent exiled Belarusian opposition politician, told BPN. Arciom can be sentenced to up to five years’ imprisonment.

He was arrested a month ago and purportedly charged with disorderly conduct, a minor offense. Anatol Labiedźka’s son allegedly used foul language near the Kastryčnicki district police department in Minsk.

A former chairman of the United Civic Party (UCP), Anatol Labiedźka is Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s advisor on constitutional reform and inter-parliamentary cooperation.

He linked his son’s arrest to the father’s political activity. “What are the goals and objectives? Perhaps to make me less active, or even put me in a state where I would agree to some kind of swap if that’s even an option,” he said.