Yauhen Kakhanouski, a resident of Žlobin, was detained on August 27. In a forced video confession, he admitted to have participated in riots.

Kakhanouski was charged under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code, "group actions that grossly violate public order."

He was held in a pre-trial detention center in Homieĺ.

On February 5, Yauhen Kakhanouski was sentenced to three and a half years in a general-security penal colony.

Judge Iryna Pradun of the Žlobin District Court found Kakhanouski guilty under Part 1 of Art. 342 (organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order) and Art. 364 (violence or threat of violence against a police officer) of the Criminal Code.

Kakhanouski was accused of “taking an active part in an unauthorized mass event, moving as part of a group of people on the roadway, which led to the rerouting of several city buses from August 9 to 11, 2020.”

Afterwards, Kahanouski allegedly used violence against police officers, kicking and hitting their uniforms and shields, and throwing stones, bottles and other objects at them.

Kakhanouski also allegedly threw stones at a vehicle carrying law enforcement officers. As a result of this, three cars were reportedly damaged, including police vehicles, which caused a total damage of 1,160 rubles (approx. 365 euros).

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

Ahead of the trial, Kakhanouski filed a complaint against the police for beating him. The claim, however, was turned down and no investigation was launched.

Kakhanouski’s lawyer Krasnou said that his client was not guilty since his guilt was not proven. He also argued that Kakhanouski could only be prosecuted under Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code (illegal protesting), but he has already served his sentence for this offense.

Human rights defenders estimate the release date to be January 1, 2023.