Three men went on trial on February 6 in the Belarusian city of Homel over an online chat in which they supported Ukraine's efforts to stand against Russia's ongoing invasion. Zmitser Papkou, Ihar Charnavusau, and Uladzimer Kamenau are charged with creating an extremist group, taking part in an extremist group's activities, and insulting the country's authoritarian ruler, Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The men were arrested in March last year. The trial is being held behind closed doors. In a separate case on February 6, police in Homel detained at least seven people on a charge of distributing of extremist materials. To read the original stories by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here and here.
Three Belarusians On Trial Over Online Chat Supporting Ukraine
The men were arrested in March last year. (illustrative photo)