Journalist Karniej on trial, accused of disobeying prison authorities
December 11, Pozirk. The Škłoŭ District Court in the Mahiłoŭ region has begun the trial of imprisoned journalist Ihar Karniej, according to a legal portal.
He is charged with malicious disobedience to prison authorities.
Alaksandar Tarakanaŭ, a judge on the European Union’s sanctions list, presides over the proceedings.
Karniej is serving his sentence at Škłoŭ’s Penal Colony No. 17. According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, the journalist was placed in an internal prison several times.
On June 28, officials added the reporter to their list of people “involved in extremist activities.”
The Minsk City Court sentenced Karniej to three years in prison on March 22. Judge Siarhiej Kacar found him guilty of association with an extremist group. Human rights defenders denounced the charge as politically motivated.
The journalist was arrested in July 2023.
Karniej has cooperated with independent media for many years.
Reprisals: journalist sentenced to prison for insulting Łukašenka
December 11, Pozirk. The Minsk City Court has sentenced reporter Volha Radzivonava to four years in prison, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said yesterday. The judge found her guilty of inciting hatred, libeling and insulting the head of state and …