Journalist convicted for taking pics of military aircraft

On July 14, 2022, the Brest Regional Court passed a verdict in the criminal case of political prisoner journalist Yuryi Hantsarevich. He was accused of promoting extremist activity (Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code).

Judge Mikalai Hryharovich considered the case, the state prosecution was represented by prosecutor Aliaksei Yaroshyk.

Yuryi Hantsarevichi s a journalist for Intex-press from Baranavičy. He was detained on April 27, 2022, and on April 29 he was sentenced to 10 days of administrative imprisonment. 

On May 6, Hantsarevich was charged under Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (promoting extremist activities) for sending “photo images of military aircraft located on the territory of the airfield of the 61st Fighter Aviation Base, which is stationed in Baranovichi” to a Telegram channel, recognized by the Belarusian authorities as extremist. This article provides for restriction of freedom for up to four years or imprisonment from two to six years.

Today the sentence was pronounced. The court found Yuryi Hantsarevich guilty of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 361-4 (promotion of extremist activity) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus and sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.