Mother of two kids convicted over refusal to let flat to prosecutor involved in political trials
On Wedneday, Zavodski district court has announced a guilty verdict in the case of 34-year-old Minsker Volha Sinyalyova who terminated an apartment lease contract with prosecutor assistant Alina Kasyanchyk.
Ms Kasyanchyk gained for her participation in political trials. She represented the prosecution side when Belsat journalists Katsyaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova were tried.
In July 2020, Alina Kasyanchyk rented Volha’s flat in Minsk. At a certain point, the landlady suggested that the tenant leave. Kasyanchik agreed and found another place to live in. However, on the back of the situation, a criminal case was launched against Sinyalyova under Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (‘violation of equality of citizens’).
“The defendant fell under the informational influence of Telegram channels and other Internet resources which posted calls for infringing upon the rights of prosecutors who prosecute and hold charges on behalf of the state in criminal cases on citizens’ participation in protests,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement.
According to the agency, the Minsk resident’s demand to vacate the apartment was linked to the duties performed by the victim, which ‘violated the rights, freedoms and legally protested interests’ of the latter.
The trial was held behind closed doors. The first hearing was suspended: it turned out that the authorities deprived Volha’s defence lawyer Andrey Machalou of his license. On June 30, Judge Anzhela Kastsyukevich sentenced the owner to two years of restriction of liberty without being sent to a correctional facility.
Volha Sinyalyova is mother of two minor children; currently, she is on her maternity leave.
belsat.eu
