Political prisoner convicted in a criminal case for three ‘political’ comments

Today, the Maladziečna Municipal and Regional Court sentenced political prisoner Aliaksandr Kazakevich to 18 months of freedom restriction under home confinement.

Judge Volha Dubovik found him guilty under Article. 369 of the Criminal Code (insulting a government official). During the court hearings, the political prisoner's defender asked only to arrest him, while prosecutor Yuliya Zhuk, who represented the state prosecution, asked to sentence Kazakevich to 24 months under home confinement.

Three people were recognized as victims in the case. On February 19, 2021, Aliaksandr Kazakevich left a comment on a Telegram channel regarding the head of the Investigative Committee Ivan Naskevich. In March 2021, the political prisoner posted two more comments regarding the head of the commission on juvenile affairs Aliaksei Posakh and an operative for combating economic crimes Siarhei Beliacheuski. Both requested 2,000 Belarusian rubles (800 US dollars) in compensation for moral damages.

The three victims in the case were questioned on July 5 during the first court session. Then the consideration of the case was postponed to July 18, when the debates of the parties took place. The verdict was pronounced on July 19. Judge Volha Dubavik sentenced Aliaksandr Kazakevich to 18 months of freedom restriction under home confinement. The defendant was also ordered to pay 2,000 rubles in favor of the victims.

Aliaksandr was released in the courtroom. He has spent three months in custody.