Journalists from Mahiliou sentenced to imprisonment
On July 31, Mahiliou Regional Court sentenced former journalists Ales Sabaleuski and Yauhen Hlushkou under two articles of the Criminal Code: Part 1 and Part 3 of Article 361-1 (creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it), Part 1 of Article 361-3 (participation or training of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus on the territory of a foreign state in military actions without the authorization of the state).
According to the telegram channel MAYDAY.TEAM, Judge Dzmitry Krenzhyeuski sentenced Ales Sabaleuski to four years in a penal colony, while Yauhen Hlushkou was sentenced to three years in a general security penal colony. The residents of Mahiliou were also fined. Human rights activists do not know the details of the case.
Ales was arrested on December 12, 2023, and Yauhen on January 5, 2024. They were in pre-trial detention for more than seven months before the trial.
Yauhen Hlushkou is a former cameraman and journalist. In the 90s he worked for Mahiliou television, later he cooperated with several city portals.
Ales Sabaleuski is a former Mahiliou blogger and journalist who worked with a number of independent regional publications. He was repeatedly detained in 2020 for his journalistic activities.
Ales and Yauhen are remanded in Prison No. 4, 99A Krupskaya St., Mahiliou, 212011.