Posted 27 февраля 2023,, 13:07

Published 27 февраля 2023,, 13:07

Modified 27 февраля 2023,, 13:17

Updated 27 февраля 2023,, 13:17

The state prosecution requested 19 years in prison for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Pavel Latushko

The state prosecution requested 19 years in prison for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Pavel Latushko

27 февраля 2023, 13:07
The state prosecution requested the Minsk City Court to impose a punishment in absentia for the Belarusian oppositionists Svetlana Takhanovskaya and Pavel Latushko who left in the form of 19 years in a penal colony. This was reported by the state agency BELTA.

"The state prosecutor today requested Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Pavel Latushko for 19 years in a penal colony, Maria Moroz, Olga Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky for 12 years in a penal colony", - a BelTA correspondent reported.

According to the prosecutor, Tikhanovskaya, Kovalkova and Moroz should serve their sentences in a general regime colony, Latushko and Dylevsky — in a high-security colony. At the same time, the prosecutor pointed out the presence of mitigating circumstances in Tikhanovskaya, Dylevsky, Moroz, in particular, the presence of young dependent children.

The state prosecution asks to find all the listed persons guilty of conspiracy to seize power in the country unconstitutionally, as well as of creating and managing an extremist formation. They are charged with making public calls to seize power, committing other actions against the national security of Belarus, including calls for sanctions, creating and distributing materials with relevant appeals. In addition, it is proposed to find them guilty of deliberate actions aimed at inciting social hostility and discord on the basis of social affiliation.

"Specifically, Tikhanovskaya and Latushko, according to the prosecutor, should be found guilty of creating an extremist formation and leading such a formation, committed repeatedly; organizing (directing) the unauthorized assignment of the title and power of an official associated with participation on this basis in negotiations and other meetings with representatives of foreign states, foreign organizations", - BelTA notes.

In addition, Tikhanovskaya and Moroz are accused of preparing to participate in mass riots involving violence, pogroms and destruction of property. Tikhanovskaya, Latushko, Kovalkova were proposed to be found guilty of obstructing the work of the Central Commission of Belarus on Elections and Referendums, which was carried out using threats. Tikhanovskaya is also accused of "otherwise assisting a foreign state, international or foreign organization" in activities directed against the national security of Belarus, as well as treason to the state. The prosecutor insists on the abuse of official powers by Latushko, which, according to the investigation, were committed for selfish purposes or with other personal interest, which entailed grave consequences. He is also accused of receiving a large-scale bribe.

"