Former Belarusian Police Officer-Turned-Blogger On Trial For Treason

Former Belarusian police captain and blogger Andrey Parotnikau went on trial on October 16 in Minsk. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges including treason, conspiracy to seize power, and facilitating extremist activities. According to the human rights group Vyasna, the trial is being held behind closed doors. Parotnikau, who once ran the Belarus Security blog, was detained in Moscow in March 2023 and extradited to Minsk. A source close to the case suggests that Parotnikau’s health has deteriorated significantly during his detention in harsh prison conditions. Parotnikau is one of hundreds of bloggers, journalists, and activists imprisoned in Belarus amid an ongoing crackdown on democratic institutions and dissent. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.