Bloggers Andrej and Volha Pavuk sentenced to years in prison
June 25, Pozirk. The Brest Regional Court has sentenced blogger Andrej Pavuk to 12 years in prison and his blogger ex-wife Volha Pavuk to eight years at an in absentia trial, the Office of the Brest Regional Prosecutor reported.
The court also fined Andrej 200,000 rubels (some $61,000) and Volha 100,000 rubels.
The prosecutors labeled them as “leaders of the extremist formation Rudabielskaja Pakazucha” (a YouTube channel).
They were charged with establishing the “extremist group,” inciting hatred, illegal handling of personal data, insulting the head of state and other alleged crimes.
According to the prosecutors, opera singer and activist Marharyta Laŭčuk, blogger Illa Salankoŭ and rock musician Uładzisłaŭ Navažyłaŭ, aka Lesley Knife, were also tried in absentia, sentenced to to six to eight years in prison and fined 20,000-32,000 rubels.
Laŭčuk’s ex-husband Alaksandar Čachoŭski, an activist and cultural manager, was sentenced to three months in jail without being present at the trial.
The beginning of special investigations against the aforementioned people was reported in March. The Investigative Committee (SK) said the case also involved politician Jaŭhien Vilski, architect Vadzim Dźmitronak, former official Anatol Kotaŭ, Our Home (Naš Dom) leader Volha Karač and Belarus Women’s Foundation head Vieranika Capkała. There have been no reports of any in absentia sentences against them.
Investigators open cases against 11 opponents
March 18, Pozirk. Investigators in the Brest region have opened special procedure cases against 11 people, the Belarusian Investigative Committee reported. The suspects include blogger Andrej Pavuk, his former wife Volha Pavuk, opera singer Marharyta Laŭčuk, as well as her …