Belarus Begins Trial in Absentia of Dissidentby Founders

Reform.news Editorial Team · 16 October 2026, 13:06

https://reform.news/en/belarus-begins-trial-in-absentia-of-dissidentby-founders/

A trial in absentia of Maryna Kasinerava and Viachaslau Kasinerau, founders of the human rights initiative Dissidentby, began today at the Zavadski District Court in Minsk.

The couple are accused of creating an “extremist formation” or participating in one, inciting social hatred, discrediting Belarus, insulting Aliaksandr Lukashenka, and facilitating extremist activity. Maryna Kasinerava is also charged with repeatedly creating an “extremist formation” or leading one.

Special proceedings against the Kasineraus began on 28 August.

On 14 October, Belarusian security forces visited Maryna Kasinerava’s relatives in search of the human rights defender herself. According to Kasinerava, they claimed to have received information that she had returned to Belarus and threatened her with a lengthy prison sentence. She linked the visits by security forces to a request to review the case materials.