Zhlobin district court passed a guilty verdict in the case of political prisoner Mark Vasilkou, the human rights centre Viasna reports.
Mark Vasilkou, a student of one of Minsk-based universities, was detained on 5 November 2021 in Zhlobin. The young man was charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (‘organisation and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them’). The Belarusian human rights community recognised him as a political prisoner.
The student partially admitted his guilt. The case was considered by judge Mikalai Serheyevich. He sentenced the defendant to 1.5 years of restriction of liberty in an open-type correctional facility.
Mark Vasilkou was released in the courtroom immediately after the verdict was announced. Later, he will be sent to serve the sentence when it becomes known which facility he is going to be placed in.
