One year and three months in prison for comments

On December 14, the Kastryčnicki District Court of Hrodna considered a criminal case against a 27-year-old electrician Tsikhan Shliukhtits. He was charged under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (Organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order). The case was considered by judge Margarita Lantsevich, the state prosecution was represented by the assistant prosecutor of Hrodna, Ihar Yakimovich.

Tsikhan Shliukhtits was detained on September 13. According to the prosecution, on September 6, 2020, the young man, using his mobile phone, left seven comments in the telegram chat "Hrodno for Life". Tsikhan Shliukhtits was also charged with participating in the protest rally that took place that day.

The prosecutor requested to sentence Tsikhan Shliukhtits to two and a half years in prsion. The defense of the accused argued that the punishment requested by the prosecutor was disproportionate to the offense committed by Tsikhan Shliukhtits.

Judge Margarita Lantsevich found Tsikhan Shliukhtits guilty and sentenced him to 1 year and 3 months in prison.