Belarusian YouTuber, Alexander Lukashenko, tried to contest the election last year. Now, he has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for “organising mass unrest” and inciting hatred.
Syarhei Tsikhanouski was the husband of Sviatlana Sikhanouskaya (an exiled leader in opposition), and sent to a “maximum security colony” as part of a retaliatory move from Lukashenko. This is often called ‘Europe’s last dictator’, due to his authoritarian style.
It comes after his regime was accused of staging a fake bomb threat earlier this year to force a commercial Ryanair flight – which was carrying a dissident journalist – to land in Minsk, allowing Belarusian forces to arrest him.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally is also charged with deliberately causing the continuing border crisis in Eastern Europe. This was done by encouraging thousands of migrants from Poland to go to Belarus’s borders to Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
Following a 173-day trial, Mr Tsikhanouski had been arrested and taken to jail in May 2013. His popularity among the voters began to rise. The charges were denied by him.
Speaking from Lithuania where her husband resides, his wife called the verdict “revenge” and promised to keep trying to get rid of Lukashenko (67), who has been the longest serving president on the continent, since he took power in 1994.
Syarhei Tsikhanouski was the husband of Sviatlana, a prominent opposition leader (pictured holding her photo). This is widely interpreted as an act of retaliation by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ president – often called “Europe’s last dictator” due to his autoritarian style of governance.
Lukashenko (pictured), an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin is accused of intentionally creating the continuing border crisis within Eastern Europe. This was done by encouraging thousands of migrants to go to Belarus’s borders to Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Sergei Tikhanovsky from Belarus (front), the husband to former Belarusian presidential hopeful Svetlana Tikhanovskaya at Tuesday’s sentence hearing at Gomel Regional Court
“This is an absurdity. It’s Lukashenko’s revenge on Syarhei because he was brave, stood up to him and got the support of the people,’ Franak Viačorka, a senior advisor to Ms Tsikhanouskaya and a family friend, told The Independent.
This is also an instrument to attack Sviatlana. Lukashenko attempted to silence Syarhei by holding her in prison, but failed.
Five other Tsikhanouski allys – Mikalai Stankevich (Ihar Losik), Artsyom Sakau and Uladzimir Tsyhanovich – were sentenced each to 14-16 years in prison.
They were all also fined 2.5 million Belarusian Rubles (£744,000), for ‘material damage caused by crimes’, reported the Independent.
Tsikhanouski was facing a maximum sentence exceeding 20 years. Denis Mikushev, the prosecutor, stated to state media that the court showed him mercy by only giving him 18 years.
Sviatlana his wife, who was arrested just three months ahead of the election for the presidency, took his place.
Although the schoolteacher was not a political expert, he managed to garner a lot of support from large sections of the country as they became tired of Lukashenko’s rigid rule.
Lukashenko announced that he had won August’s election and claimed an 80 percent share of public vote, prompting widespread protests.
It was not unanimous and rejected by the EU. The EU then imposed sanctions against the regime last October.
Lukashenko announced that he had won August’s election and claimed an 88% share of public votes – prompting widespread protests.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a Belarusian opposition politician, raises an image of Sergei Tikhanovsky her husband, along with other photos held by political prisoners at Berlin’s film festival this summer
Later, Lukashenko admitted that some protestors had been beaten at a prison cell. He also hinted that he did not intend to have talks with the opposition. They fled to Lithuania in fear for their safety and then to Lithuania.
According to him, the BBC should be able to get back to them as soon as possible. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin sits down for talks with Alexei Navalny then I will instantly meet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for talks… Putin will never get around the negotiating table with him.’
Mr Viačorka added that he believes pressure is mounting on Lukashenko – and that today’s verdict proves it.
He concluded, “I think we…” [the opposition]We are now in a better place than before spring. ‘Lukashenko is making one error after the other.
“It’s obvious that he’s losing his grip. Right now, I feel it’s only a matter of months before the regime is overthrown.