Supreme Court rejects Cichanoŭskaja’s appeal

June 20, BPN. The Supreme Court in Minsk has rejected an exiled opposition leader’s appeal against the prison sentence she received in absentia for conspiracy to seize power and other alleged crimes, according to a press release form the court’s office.

Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja was sentenced to 15 years by Minsk City Court Judge Piotr Arłoŭ on March 6.

She filed a complaint against the verdict on March 14, arguing that she did not know what she was accused of and that she had not received any procedural documents. Cichanoŭskaja also said that she was defended by an appointed lawyer with whom she was never able to discuss her legal position on the case.

Cichanoŭskaja’s press office said the complaint was filed to document violations of her basic human rights and freedoms. As the appeal has been turned down, it would be possible to raise the issue with international bodies, including the United Nations.