June 21, Pozirk. More criminal cases will be opened this year against exiled opposition activists, Dźmitryj Hora, chairman of the Investigative Committee has told journalists.
So far, authorities opened so-called special proceedings against 108 persons, with 82 cases already forwarded to courts, the state-run media outlets reported, citing the official.
The actual number may be higher, as the Committee for State Security (KGB) also has a list of people it seeks to prosecute in absentia.
After trials, authorities seize property from convicted emigrants, including apartments, houses, land plots and cars, Hora noted.
Special proceedings target those living abroad and evading contact with investigators, allowing authorities to persecute exiled opponents and try them in their absence.
Amendments listing 34 serious crimes such as acts of terrorism, treason, sabotage, mass riots, association with an extremist group and calls for sanctions, came into effect in July 2022.
In a recent high-profile case, Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s chief aide Franak Viačorka was tried in absentia and given 20 years in prison.
Investigators accused the exiled politician of conspiracy to overthrow the government, high treason and other crimes.
