Minor gets three years in jail for filming Russian military equipment

On July 18, the Homieĺ Regional Court ruled in the case of Pavel Piskun who was accused of promoting extremist activity under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code.

The court was presided by Judge Aliaksandr Piskunou, who has already passed politically motivated verdicts, including in cases of activists and journalists.

Pavel Piskun was accused of filming Russian military equipment on his cell phone on February 27, 2022, and sending this video to the ‘extremist’ Telegram channel along with the information on the number of vehicles, their direction, and distinctive features. It is known that at the time of the crime the defendant was a minor.

According to the prosecution, by these actions, Pavel Piskun contributed to extremist activities.

The guy was also charged with the fact that two days later, on March 1 and 2, he again filmed Russian military equipment on video and sent the file to a Telegram channel.

On July 18, the Homieĺ Regional Court found Pavel Piskun guilty of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment. Pavel was also found guilty of other promotion of extremist activity, committed repeatedly. On the basis of Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code, he was sentenced to three years in jail.

In accordance with Part 2 of Article 72 of the Criminal Code less severe punishment is absorbed by more severe one. Pavel Piskun was finally sentenced to three years of imprisonment to be served in a general-security penal colony.

The verdict has not entered into legal force and can be appealed and protested as provided by law.