Supreme Court rejects appeal by researcher Kaściuhova against lengthy prison term

July 31, BPN. On July 25, the Supreme Court upheld a 10-year prison sentence against political analyst Valeryja Kaściuhova, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported.

It is unclear whether the court has also examined an appeal by Taćciana Kuzina who was tried together with Kaściuhova and given the same prison term.

On March 17, judge Dzina Kučuk of the Minsk City Court found the researchers guilty on charges of plotting to seize power, calling for sanctions and inciting hatred. Both have been in custody since late June 2021.

Kaściuhova, a prominent political scientist, had founded and edited the Nashe Mneniye website focusing on political and economic analysis. She edited and co-authored the Belarusian Yearbook and headed Belarus in Focus, a project to promote Belarus’ coverage in the foreign media.

Kuzina is a co-founder of the SYMPA School for Young Managers in Public Administration and an expert with the BIPART think tank.

Human rights groups consider Kaściuhova and Kuzina political prisoners.