Minsk court sentences Babaryka’s ally to prison

May 16, Pozirk. The Minsk City Court has sentenced politician Ivan Kraŭcoŭ to 11 years in prison without the defendant being present, the Supreme Court reported.

A judge found the ally of former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka guilty of conspiring to overthrow the government, forming an extremist group and inciting hatred.

Kraŭcoŭ, who lives abroad, told Pozirk that he had asked the judge to testify via video link, but the authorities did not reply to his email and registered letter.

“I hope that in five-ten years the accusations of extremism will no longer be relevant. The wording is just politics of the moment,” he said.

Also read: New charge against Eduard Babaryka may prolong his imprisonment