Ivan Sukhamerau
Date of detention: 15 June 2023
Charges indicted:
Art. 361 of the Criminal Code — Calls for actions aimed at causing harm to the national security of the Republic of Belarus
Art. 370 of the Criminal Code — Desecration of state symbols
Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it
Art. 356 of the Criminal Code — High treason
Art. 367 of the Criminal Code — Slander against the President of the Republic of Belarus
Art. 361-2 of the Criminal Code — Financing the activities of an extremist group
Art. 361-4 of the Criminal Code — Promoting extremist activities
Art. 369-1 of the Criminal Code — Discrediting Belarus
Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code — Participation or preparing to participate in hostilities on foreign soil by a Republic of Belarus citizen
Sentence: 10 years
Penalty: imprisonment in a general-security penal colony
Judge: Siarhei Bahinski
Prison: Pre-trial detention center No. 3
Ivan Sukhamerau began to criticize the authorities in 2017. In particular, the man actively protested against the odious decree "On the Unemployed".
On the Telegram channels of the law enforcement agencies, it was written that Ivan had allegedly been detained while illegally crossing the border into Belarus.
His trial began on February 15 at the Homieĺ Regional Court. The case is being considered by Judge Siarhei Bahinski. Sukhamerau is charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code:
- Part 1 of Article 361-3 (participation on the territory of a foreign state in an armed formation or armed conflict, military actions, recruitment or preparation of persons for such participation);
- Part 2 of Article 367 (slander against Lukashenka);
- Part 1 and 2 of Article 361-2 (financing extremist activities);
- Article 369-1 (discrediting the Republic of Belarus);
- Part 3 of Article 361-1 (creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it);
- Article 361-4 (promoting extremist activities);
- Article 370 (desecration of state symbols);
- Part 3 of Article 361 (calls for actions aimed at causing harm to the national security of the Republic of Belarus);
- Part 1 of Article 356 (high treason);
- Part 2 of Article 290-5 (organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in the activities of such an organization).
According to the prosecution, Ivan posted negative publications against Lukashenka on his pages in social networks, as well as materials calling for sanctions against Belarus by international organizations. He also joined BYPOL, wanted to become a soldier in Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, and donated to the ZSU.
On April 8, 2024, the sentence was announced - 10 years in a penal colony and a fine of 100 basic units (4,000 rubles).
