Uladzimir Mikhalka

sentenced to 14 months in prison

Former prisoner

Date of birth: 6 December 1976

Date of detention: 20 December 2020

Charges indicted:

  • Art. 369 of the Criminal Code — Insulting a government official
  • Art. 368 of the Criminal Code — Insulting the President of the Republic of Belarus

Sentence: 14 months

Penalty: imprisonment in a general-security penal colony

Date of release: 8 December 2021

Uladzimir Mikhalka

Uladzimir Mikhalka is a resident of Rečyca convicted on defamation charges.

He was detained late December 2020.

According to the Investigative Committee, back on September 1, 2020, Uladzimir Mikhalka, during the administrative proceedings against him, on the street, in the district hospital, in the building of the police department and in other public places in the presence of other citizens repeatedly insulted the President of the Republic of Belarus. According to investigators, Mikhalka was intoxicated at the time.

The case under Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code, however, was only opened on November 17.

On March 10, 2021, the Rečyca District Court sentenced Uladzimir Mikhalka to 14 months in a general-security penal colony. Mikhalka was found guilty of crimes under Art. 368 of the Criminal Code, public insult to the President of the Republic of Belarus, and Art. 369 of the Criminal Code, public insult of a government official in connection with the performance of their duties.

Uladzimir served his sentence in full and was released on December 8, 2021.

Addresses of prisons:

What should I know and how to help?

✉️ Write a letter. Make a scan of your letter or postcard and share it online

🤝 Please use the Russian (or Belarusian) name of the prison

💡 Foreign-language messages may be blocked, so attach a translation (e.g. translate.google.com)

💡 A big guide about helping Belarusian political prisoners from abroad

💡 More tips here

Support “Viasna”