Investigators charge analysts, journalists over links with opposition

January 25, Pozirk. The Investigative Committee has filed six criminal charges against “20 so-called analysts of Cichanoŭskaja,” its press office has announced.

All defendants are reportedly linked to Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, a former opposition presidential candidate forced into exile, and persecuted under special proceedings that target those living abroad and evading contact with investigators.

The charges against them range from inciting hatred and calling for sanctions to creating an extremist group and plotting to seize power.

Defendants are Cichanoŭskaja’s senior political aide Alaksandar Dabravolski, spokeswoman Hanna Krasulina, special representative for elections Alaksandar Šłyk, aide Dzianis Kučynski and journalists Juryj Drakachrust of RFE/RL and Hanna Lubakova, a former RFE/RL and Belsat TV reporter.

Ryhor Astapenia, director of the Belarusian Initiative at Chatham House; Andrej Kazakievič of the Political Sphere Institute; Alaksandar Łahviniec of Free Belarusian University; sociologist Filip Bikanaŭ; researchers Veranika Łapućka and Taćciana Čulickaja; political scientists Maryja Rohava, Alesia Rudnik, Kaciaryna Šmacina, Piotra Rudkoŭski and Pavieł Vusaŭ are among the persecuted.  

The list also includes Jaŭhien Kryžanoŭski, Vasil Navumaŭ and SYMPA/BIPART expert Natalla Rabava.

Authorities had opened special proceedings against Dabravolski in December for allegedly interfering with work of the central election commission.

All defendants “participated in the conspiracy to seize state power in the Republic of Belarus by unconstitutional means,” the Investigative Committee claimed.

In all, at least 56 persons face criminal charges under special proceedings, which provide for trials in absentia.