The Hrodna Regional Court has handed down a verdict against political prisoner and activist from Rechytsa Aliaksandr (Ales) Zdaravennau. This was reported by the Viasna Human Rights Center.
The 46-year-old man was found guilty under Article 356 (treason against the state) and Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (facilitating extremist activity). He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined 500 base units (21,000 rubles).
In 2020–2021, he was repeatedly subjected to administrative penalties for participating in protests and for displaying a flag in the yard of a private home. He made several trips to Lithuania and Poland. At the end of March, he was detained at the border with Lithuania. Initially, he was given an administrative arrest, but was later transferred to a pre-trial detention center on criminal charges.