Political prisoner Hanna Pyshnik convicted for video of Russian helicopters

On August 16, 2022, the Homieĺ Regional Court convicted the political prisoner Hanna Pyshnik (Chympayesh) of ‘promoting extremist activity’ under Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code.

Hanna Pyshnik, a resident of Mazyr, was detained on March 22, 2022, for sharing a video of military helicopters with one of the Telegram channels. She was accused of ‘promoting extremism’ under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code which provides for up to six years of imprisonment.

Pyshnik has a minor daughter. 

Until the trial, which commenced on August 9, Pyshnik was held in pre-trial detention center.

Today, the verdict was handed down. Hanna Pyshnik was found guilty and sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.

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Taking pics of Russian troops considered extremism

Seven criminal cases have been opened in the Homieĺ region bordering Ukraine for passing on the information about Russian military vehicles movement to “extremist” Telegram channels, the Investigative Committee reports. Cases are brought under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (Promoting extremist activities); detainees face up to six years in prison. Viasna tells what is known about them.