Tut.by Editors Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

The case was heard behind closed doors.

On March 17, TUT.BY editor-in-chief Maryna Zolatava and director of TUT BAY MEDIA Liudmila Chekina were tried in Minsk, writes the Viasna Human Rights Centre.

Maryna Zolatava was found guilty of "tax evasion, organization of deliberate actions aimed at inciting racial, national, religious or other social hatred or discord, distribution of materials with appeals to actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus". She was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

Liudmila Chekina was found guilty of "tax evasion, organization of premeditated actions aimed at inciting racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord, as well as the management of appeals to actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus". The court sentenced her to 12 years of imprisonment.

The verdict was read by judge Valiantsina Ziankevich. The case was heard behind closed doors. All in all, the consideration of the criminal case took almost two months; 37 sessions were held.

The verdict has not come into force and can be appealed.

We remind you that in the morning of May 18, 2021 law enforcers came to the apartments of some company employees and representatives of partner organizations, as well as to the offices of TUT.BY in Minsk and regional centres. The office in the capital city was searched until late in the evening, while after the same actions at the houses of former colleagues, they were questioned at the Department of Financial Control of the State Control Committee. Some were taken from their homes as witnesses, and in the evening of the same day they were taken to the TDF in Akrestsin Street as suspects in the criminal case. Fifteen people were detained that day.

As the SCC reported on May 18, a criminal case was opened against the company's officials for large-scale tax evasion (part 2, article 243 of the Criminal Code).

The claim against the company's management was that as a resident of the High Tech Park, TUT BAY MEDIA allegedly received revenue not attributable to the activities permitted for residents.