Yauhen Babak is a former prosecutor detained on charges of "group actions grossly violating public order" (Article 342 of the Criminal Code). He was also charged with inciting hatred under Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code.

He was initially detained on June 11, 2021, for "picketing by displaying a white-red-white flag on his balcony." On June 25, it became known that Babak had received been sentenced to another 15 days in prison. According to the ex-prosecutor's cellmates, he was convicted after the police received access to his smartphone. Babak was not released after 30 days of administrative detention.

Instead, he was called a suspect in a criminal case. 

On 11 March 2022, the trial over Yauhen Babak started in Minsk City Court. Judge Valiantsina Ziankevich considered the case, Alina Kasiyanchyk represented the state prosecution. The trial was closed. On May 12, after a two-month break, the trial resumed and the judge found Yauhen guilty and sentenced him to four years of imprisonment.

Who are former law enforcers persecuted for speaking out against Lukashenka

Last May Lukashenka stripped of military and special ranks more than 80 former officers of law enforcement bodies, who joined the independent association of security forces ByPOL or supported protests. Viasna collected names of former law enforcement and military officers who spoke out against Lukashenka's regime and who are persecuted by the state. Most of them are recognized as political prisoners.