Rabochy rukh group members receive 11 to 15 year in jail for high treason and creating extremist group

The Homieĺ Regional court pronounced the verdict to the members of Rabochy rukh (Workers' Movement) group accused of high treason and creating and participating in an extremist organization. Ten political prisoners—Siarhei Shelest, Uladzimir Zhurauka, Andrei Paheryla, Hanna Ablab, Aliaksandr Hashnikau, Siarhei Dziuba, Ihar Mints, Valiantsin Tseranevich, Siarhei Shametska, Aliaksandr Kapshul—each received 11 to 15 years in prison. Political prisoners have been in custody for 17 months.  

Members of the group in the dock during the trial.

• Siarhei Shelest was convicted of “defamation” (Article 188 of the CC), “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC), and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.
• Uladzimir Zhurauka was convicted of “defamation” (Article 188 of the CC), “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC), and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.
• Andrei Paheryla was convicted of defamation (Article 188 of the CC), high treason (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC), and creation of an extremist group and participation in it (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.
• Hanna Ablab was convicted of “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC) and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 0f Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment.
• Aliaksandr Hashnikau was convicted of “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC) and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.
• Siarhei Dziuba, Ihar Mints, Valiantsin Tseranevich, and Siarhei Shametska were all convicted of “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC) and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment each.
• Aliaksandr Kapshul was convicted of “illegal acts with respect to firearms” (part 2 of Article 295 of the CC), “high treason” (part 1 of Article 356 of the CC), and “creation of an extremist group and participation in it” (part 3 of Article 361-1 of the CC) and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.

In addition, all were fined between 3,200 and 16,000 Belarusian rubles (USD 1,300 to 6,300). All 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to high treason and creating an extremist group. The only charge Andrei Paheryla agreed to was the one of “defamation”.

The prosecution claimed that the members of Rabochy rukh had illegally collected and transmitted to foreign states and organizations, including the U.S. and Lithuanian intelligence agencies, official information on how Belarusian companies could circumvent sanctions, as well as on how to prevent this. It is reported that some of the defendants were accused of planning to block the operations of two factories, Hrodna Azot and BMZ.

On October 18, 2021—almost a month after the arrest of those involved in the case—the Rabochy rukh group was recognized as an extremist group. This became the first “extremist group” in Belarus. The trial began on November 9, 2022, in the Homieĺ Regional Court. 

The case materials numbered 30 volumes. Among them were the classified ones, which were reviewed by the court in closed sessions. It is known that among the materials of the case, there are recordings of zoom meetings where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of her office were present.

Aliaksandr Kapshul. Photo: gp.by

On December 27, 2022, the trial was closed to the public. At the beginning of 2023, it became known that on December 31, Aliaksandr Kapshul went on a hunger strike in protest against law violations in Homieĺ pre-trial detention center. The hunger strike continues to this day, with the first few days being a dry fast. On February 10, Kapshul was placed in a punishment cell.