News on the topic: defamation
07.04.2021 Opposition politician Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison
The Saviecki District Court of Homieĺ has sentenced Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh, a veteran opposition politician and political prisoner, to two years and six months in a general-security penal colony. Judge Aliaksandr Mokharau found him guilty of publicly insulting a prosecutor (Article 369 of the Criminal Code).
25.03.2021 Three new political prisoners in Belarus
Joint statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community
15.03.2021 Immediately release political prisoners Yuliya Bodak and Ihar Bantsar!
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
13.03.2021 Court in Rečyca orders prison term for political prisoner Uladzimir Mikhalka
On March 10, the Rečyca District Court sentenced political prisoner Uladzimir Mikhalka to 14 months in prison for insulting Aliaksandr Lukashenka and government officials, flagstok.info said.
11.03.2021 Aliaksandr Kulaha and Uladzimir Chyzheuski are political prisoners
Joint statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community
02.03.2021 Five new political prisoners in Belarus
Joint statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community
10.02.2021 Seven convicts in defamation and flag desecration trials called political prisoners
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
22.01.2021 Political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski sentenced to 2 years of restricted freedom on defamation charges
Judge Tatsiana Pirozhnikava of the Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk sentenced today political prisoner Dzmitry Kulakouski to two years’ imprisonment in an open-type penal facility (so-called “khimiya”). He was found guilty of “publicly insulting an official in connection with the performance of his official duties” (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). Kulakouski was released from custody immediately after the verdict was announced, but will remain under travel restrictions pending appeal hearings.
28.12.2020 Immediately release political prisoners Siarhei Hardziyevich and Dzmitry Kulakouski
Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community
23.12.2020 Statement on sentencing of political prisoners Aliaksei Ramanau and Mikalai Charniauski
Belarusian human rights defenders call to decriminalize defamation, put an end to judicial harassment and release all political prisoners convicted of slandering or insulting officials or the president, as well as insulting state symbols
16.12.2020 One more defamation sentence: Man with cancer gets one year in prison for “insulting” Lukashenka
The Chojniki District Court sentenced today a disabled resident of Homieĺ to 12 months in a penal colony for “publicly insulting the president” at an election rally on July 28.
15.12.2020 Two more persons convicted for "insulting" police officers
Yury Karnilovich, a 31-year-old welder at the MAZ automotive manufacturer, was sentenced today to three years in an open-type penal colony (so called “khimiya”) for allegedly insulting former Interior Minister Yury Karayeu in a comment on YouTube. The sentence is the heaviest possible penalty provided by the charge.
26.11.2020 Student sentenced to 18 months in prison for insulting OMON chief
The Frunzienski District Court of Minsk sentenced today Illia Tananka, a 19-year-old student at Minsk State Linguistic University, to 18 months of imprisonment for allegedly publicly insulting Dzmitry Balaba, commanding officer of OMON, a special police unit known for its involvement in acts of violence against peaceful protesters.
03.03.2020 YouTube vlogger charged with assault of police officer over abusive comment
Volha Zhurauskaya, a Viciebsk-based blogger running a YouTube channel called “Shooting is Allowed”, has been charged with assault of an official (Art. 369 of the Criminal Code).
14.08.2019 Dzmitry Paliyenka case brought to trial
The case of former political prisoner and Amnesty International’s prisoner of conscience Dzmitry Paliyenka has been submitted to the Minsk City Court. The trial will open in early September.
