Journalist Igor Ilyash Was Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

He pleaded not guilty.

Journalist Igor Iliasha was sentenced to four years in prison for comments and interviews with independent Belarusian and foreign media. This was the term the prosecutor demanded for him, reports "Radio Svaboda".

Ilyash was detained in October 2024 and accused of "discrediting Belarus" (Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code) and "promoting extremist activity" (Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code). Under these articles, he faced up to six years in prison.

The trial against the journalist began on February 21, 2025 in Minsk City Court, but in March it was suspended for psycholinguistic examination. The court denied the defense's petition for an expert examination in the State Committee of Forensic Examinations and appointed BSU professor Sergei Lebedinsky, known for his activities in organizations promoting the ideas of the "Russian world," as an expert.

September 4, the trial resumed. The conclusions of the expert were announced to those present. In particular, Lebedinsky stated that the journalist should not use the term "political prisoners," as it does not exist in the Belarusian legislation, and instead of the word "dictatorship" he suggested using more "neutral" formulations.

Ilyash himself denied the charges and did not admit his guilt.

Igor Ilyash is a journalist and husband of journalist Katerina Bakhvalova (Andreeva), who is in the colony.

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