BelaPAN editor in chief held at women’s prison in Homiel

February 3, BPN. Authorities have transferred BelaPAN‘s CEO and editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna to female Penal Colony No 4 in Homiel.

October 2022, judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka of the Minsk Regional Court sentenced her to four years in prison. The previous CEO, Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, was given six years; former deputy CEO Andrej Alaksandraŭ, 14 years; his wife Iryna Złobina, nine years.

Authorities accused them of establishing an extremist group (Alaksandraŭ, Leŭšyna, Navažyłaŭ), treason (Alaksandraŭ, Złobina), tax evasion (Alaksandraŭ, Navažyłaŭ), and organization of actions grossly disturbing public order (Alaksandraŭ and Złobina). Human rights groups consider all four political prisoners.

On January 6, the Supreme Court upheld the long prison sentences.

Złobina is also held at the colony in Homiel; Navažyłaŭ, at Prison No 3 in Vićba, Viciebsk district; and Alaksandraŭ, at Penal Colony No 1 in Navapołack, Viciebsk region.

The prison term of Leŭšyna expires in December 2024; of Navažyłaŭ, in December 2026; of Złobina, in January 2029; and of Alaksandraŭ, in January 2034.