Journalist Siarhei Hardziyevich released from detention
On February 8, former political prisoner and journalist from Drahichyn Siarhei Hardziyevich was released from the temporary detention center after serving a 15-day administrative detention sentence for distributing extremist products.
Officers of the Drahichyn Police Department arrested Siarhei Hardziyevich on 24 January 2024. The police filed a report against him for violating Article 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which prohibits the distribution, production, or storage of information products containing calls for extremist activity.
The journalist was detained until the case was heard in court. On January 26, two days later, Judge Yulia Kuksa found Hardziyevich guilty and sentenced him to administrative detention.
Siarhei Hardziyevich was persecuted for distributing ‘extremist products’ through social media. The accusation stems from sharing a publication from the Hantsavitski Chas online media on 11 November 2023, according to 1pr.by. The police report does not specify which publication was shared, but it was from an internet resource recognized as ‘extremist’ in Belarus.
Hardziyevich attempted to prove that his actions did not constitute an administrative offense. In court, Siarhei Hardziyevich stated that he deleted his Vkontakte account in November of last year. However, Judge Yulia Kuksa did not take these explanations into account.
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