Ihar Karnei Was Sentenced To Three Years In Prison

The ex-journalist was detained in the summer.

Minsk Judge Siarhei Katser sentenced former journalist Ihar Karnei to three years in a penal colony and a fine of 20,000 rubles, Radio Liberty reports.

The journalist was accused of "participation in an extremist formation" under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. It became known from the propaganda media earlier that he was persecuted for cooperation with the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

56-year-old Ihar Karnei was detained on the morning of July 17, 2023, after a search in his apartment.

At first, he was sentenced to administrative arrest. Still, he was not released – Ihar was transferred from Akrestsin to a pre-trial detention centre under a criminal case for participating in an "extremist formation" (Part 3, Art. 361).

Judge Siarhei Katser considered the case. Ihar Karnei faced up to six years in prison.

His wife and daughters left Belarus.