Verdict To Defendants In 'Coup Case' Announced In Minsk

Fiaduta and Kastusiou - 10 years in prison each, Ziankovich - 11 years.

The verdict to the defendants in the “coup case” was announced in Minsk on September 5.

The court found all the defendants guilty and sentenced Yuras Ziankovich to 11 years in prison, Aliaksandr Fiaduta and Ryhor Kastusiou to 10 years each. Volha Halubovich and Dzianis Krauchuk received two and a half years in prison each.

The court decision comes into legal force and is subject to appeal.

The Minsk Regional Court began the trial in the case of "plotting to seize power" on 29 July. Initially, it was reported that it would be held behind closed doors, but at the very first meeting, the judge announced an open hearing of the case.

There are five defendants in the case: Ryhor Kastusiou, the chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, a book critic and political technologist, Yuras Ziankovich, a lawyer from the United States, Volha Halubovich, an activist and former employee of his Minsk company, and truck driver Dzianis Krauchuk. Ziankovich, Feduta and Kastusiou are charged with “plotting to seize power through unconstitutional means” (Part 1 of Article 357 of the Criminal Code), while Halubovich and Krauchuk are only charged with “gross violation of public order” (Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code).

In addition, Ziankovich was charged with the “creation of extremist formation and the leadership of such a formation” (part 1 of article 361-1 of the Criminal Code), “calls to capture of state power” (part 3 of article 361 of the Criminal Code), “inciting hatred or hostility against a group of persons ” (Part 3, Article 130 of the Criminal Code).

Ziankovich admitted his guilt in full and, as it turned out, concluded an agreement with the investigation, pledging to help "expose" the rest of the "conspirators". Aliaksandr Fiaduta admitted his guilt partially, Ryhor Kastusiou did not admit his guilt, Volha Halubovich and Dzianis Krauchuk admitted their guilt in full.

All defendants in the case, except for Ziankovich, were recognized as political prisoners.

Recall that Fiaduta and Ziankovich were detained on April 12, 2021, in Moscow, and Kastusiou was detained in Belarus on charges of attempting a coup. Later on the same day, April 26, Halubovich and Krauchuk were detained.

Dzmitry Shchyhelsk, Aliaksandr Perapechka, Pavel Kulazhenka and Ihar Makar, who are abroad, are also considered defendants in the same case.