Coordination council member and an entrepreneur receive jail terms for 2020 protests

On March 14, Maskoŭski District court of Minsk political prisoners Aksana Zaretskaya and Bahdan Karavets of active participation in actions that grossly violate public order under part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code. Judge Katsiaryna Murashka sentenced Zaretskaya to 18 months and Karavets to 24 months of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.

The defense stressed during the court debate that the violation of the law incriminated to Zaretskaya and Karavets happened more than two years ago, as reported by @rada_vision. Since then, the accused have not violated any laws and have worked for the benefit of the country. Moreover, they chose to remain in Belarus, although they could have left. As mitigating circumstances, the defense attorney also proved the family difficulties of both defendants. Zaretskaya's father has health problems, and Karavets is raising a child with disabilities. Also, numerous positive characteristics of both defendants from their employers were attached to the written materials of the case.

Aksana Zaretskaya is a member of the Coordination Council. She holds a master’s degree in pedagogy and works as an etiquette and business communications coach. She has two children.

Bahdan Karavets is a businessman, the founder of the Astronim webdesign company.