Minsk Lawyer Sentenced To 1.5 Years In Prison For Participation In Protest

The sentence was handed down by "judge" Anastasia Achalava.

On 19 September, the Minsk Leninsky District Court sentenced Inna Bahdanava under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code ("organising and preparing actions that seriously violate public order or actively participating in them"). "Judge" Anastasia Achalava sentenced her to 1 year and 6 months in a general regime colony, reports the Human Rights Centre "Viasna".

The Minsk woman was accused of taking part in protests in 2020, going out on the road and blocking the movement of public transport. She made a partial confession, but did not actually admit guilt or refuse to testify.

The political prisoner said that she took part in the protests as a spectator, not as a participant. And she only went out on the road to take pictures, Inna told the court.

Inna Bahdanava has a university degree and worked as a legal adviser at the territorial centre for social services. She was remanded in custody before the trial.