Women-Political Prisoners Valeryja Kastsiuhova, Tatsiana Kuzina Sentenced To 10 Years In Colony

The sentence was handed down by "judge" Dzina Kuchuk.

Valeryja Kastsiuhova and Tatsiana Kuzina were sentenced to 10 years in a general regime penal colony (this was the term demanded by the prosecutor), reports EuroradioEuroradio. They were found guilty on three articles: "seizure of power," "damage to national security" and "incitement of hatred".

The verdict was passed by "judge" Dzina Kuchuk.

Kastsiuhova is a political scientist, founder and editor of the Our Opinion expert community website, editor and author of the Belarusian Yearbook, head of Belarus in Focus monitoring group of experts. She has been behind bars since June 30, 2021.

Kuzina is a co-founder of the Sympa school for young managers of public administration and an expert of the bipart research project. She was detained in Minsk during the night of June 28-29, 2021.

Human rights activists recognised them as political prisoners.

The trial began in the Minsk City Court on February 6.