Journalist Karniej given three years in prison

March 22, Pozirk. The Minsk City Court has sentenced journalist Ihar Karniej to three years in a penal colony, Radjo Svaboda reports.

Judge Siarhiej Kacar found him guilty on charges of setting up an extremist group and participating in its activities.

Since 2020, Kacar has handed down about 170 politically-motivated rulings under the Administrative Offenses Code and about 30, under the Criminal Code, according to human rights groups.

Karniej, a former RFE/RL Belarus Service correspondent, has been in custody since July 2023.