The prosecution demands 19 years in prison for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
The Belarusian prosecutor’s office demanded the sentencing in absentia of former presidential candidate Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya to 19 years in a penal colony, former diplomat Pavel Latushko to 19 years in a penal colony. In addition, the prosecution considers it necessary to impose a fine on Tikhanovskaya in the amount of 37 thousand Belarusian rubles and ban Latushka from holding office for 5 years. On Monday, February 27, he announced this on his Telegram channel. Belarusian center for human rights “Vesna”.
According to human rights activists, Tikhanovskaya is charged in ten criminal cases. Including, about preparations for participation in mass riots, a conspiracy to seize power, the creation of “extremist formations” and their leadership. Latushko is charged with seven criminal cases.
The trial of the case against politicians, in which, in addition to Tikhanovskaya and Latushko, the defendants are Olga Kovalkova, Sergei Dilevsky and Maria Moroz, is being held in the “special process” mode. Its details are unknown. In July 2022, the ruler of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, signed the law introducing the institution of special procedures in Belarus, allowing trials to be held in absentia.
Repressions in Belarus after the 2022 presidential elections
According to human rights center Viasna, since the start of the 2020 presidential election campaign in Belarus, more than 5,500 criminal cases have been initiated in the country related to protests against the results of the campaign. These cases, according to the Investigative Committee, were initiated based on the facts of “demonstrations associated with illegal mass events, riots, protest actions, encroachment on state sovereignty and public safety, deliberate destruction and damage to property, violence and threats against officials and members of their families, slurs and insults to authorities”.
Human rights activists collect information about people whose criminal case is related to the events of the election campaign and after it. As of February 15, 2023, 3960 names of these people from different cities in Belarus have been collected. 1,433 people on this list are recognized as “political prisoners”.
Source: DW
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.