The case of political prisoner and journalist Katsyaryna Andreyeva, who was charged with “treason against the state,” has been submitted to the regional court of Homiel, the journalist’s husband, Ihar Ilyash, wrote on Facebook.
“I think a hearing may be scheduled for the second decade of May, if not earlier. It will almost certainly be held behind closed doors,” he added.
Katsyaryna Andreeva was sentenced to 2 years in prison for broadcasting a violent dispersal of the Raman Bandarenka’s commemoration action and the destruction of the people’s memorial by security forces. She has been serving her sentence in penal colony No. 4 in Homiel and was supposed to be released on September 5, 2022. But this year, on February 10, Katsaryna was suddenly transferred to the Homiel pre-trial detention center. For 55 days, her relatives had no idea about her new status and charges.
On April 7th, it emerged that Katsyaryna had been charged under part 1 of article 356 of the Criminal Code (“High Treason”). She faces from 7 to 15 years in prison. Her relatives say that the charges are absurd and have nothing to do with reality.
The reasons for the new charges are unknown.
