On September 14, a verdict was handed down in the case of the city-based journalist

Dzianis Ivashyn

.

The journalist of "Soviet Belarus" Lyudmila Gladkaya reported on the sentence of 13 years and 1 month in a penal colony and a fine of 150 basic rubles (4,800 rubles).

The trial of the political prisoner lasted almost a month in the Horaden Regional Court.

Judge

Valer Romanovsky

considered his case behind closed doors , because "state secrets were considered" at the trial.

On September 12, Ivashin gave his last words, but the public could not hear him, because the process was closed.

During the court sessions, the "muffler" was turned on so that Denis's relatives and friends, who were near the courtroom, could not hear what was being said in it.

Denis Ivashyn was detained on March 12, 2021 and then charged under Art.

365 (interference in the activities of an internal affairs officer) and Part 1 of Art.

356 of the Criminal Code (treason).

The journalist was threatened with up to 15 years in prison.

"I didn't see him up close - from afar.

He looked neat, clean-shaven, even I didn't think he had lost weight.

To my surprise, I did not see any noticeable changes.

He is calm, confident, dignified," said the mother of political prisoner

Lyudmila Ivashina

about her meeting with her son in the court corridor .

What is Denis Ivashyn famous for

Dzianis Ivashyn is known for his investigations into the influence of the "Russian world" on Belarus, the scandalous construction project in Kurapaty, and the transfer of former Ukrainian "Berkutov" to the Belarusian security forces.

Ivashyn also volunteered as an editor of the website of the international investigative community InformNapalm, worked as a freelance correspondent for the newspaper "Novy Chas".

Behind bars, Denis enjoys the authority of both those who are there according to political articles and criminals.

Ivashin faced pressure from the prison administration, including because of his categorical refusal to write a request for pardon.

"With sincere and strong faith, we move forward and take a confident step into the future.

In spite of supernatural challenges, threats, strong stormy wind - we walk steadfastly, stubbornly and resolutely.

Let's not deviate from the path of truth, truth, sacrificial Faith," wrote Denis in one of his letters to his wife Olga.

Who is Denis Ivashyn

  • Denis Ivashyn was born on June 6, 1979 in Hrodna.

  • Investigative journalist.

    Economist and political scientist by education.

    Married.

  • He worked as a journalist in the independent newspaper "Novy Chas" and as a volunteer editor of the Belarusian version of the website of the international community InformNapalm, which investigates the impact of Russian aggression on other countries.

  • He is known for his publications about the scandalous construction in Kurapaty, for which he and the newspaper "Novy Chas" sued the developer, as well as about the influence of the "Russian world" on Belarus and Syria.

  • Ivashyn was detained by the KGB on March 12, 2021, when he went to the pharmacy to buy medicine for his grandmother.

    He was charged under Criminal Article 365 ("Interference in the activities of internal affairs officers").

    He faces up to 3 years in prison.

  • Relatives and colleagues believe that Ivashyn's detention is related to his latest investigation into former Ukrainian Berkut soldiers who got a job in the Belarusian riot police.

    The journalist was detained the next day after he gave an interview about it to the TV channel "Nastoyashe Vremya".

  • Ivashin has Ukrainian roots and the status of a foreign Ukrainian.

    During the search of his house, they searched for books and other things related to Ukraine.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to his detention and stated that journalistic activity cannot be the reason for persecution.

  • In May 2021, Ivashyn's grandmother died, but he was not allowed to say goodbye to her.

  • According to relatives, correspondence with Denis is irregular, many letters do not reach both sides.

  • In June, it became known that Denis had a heart attack while in prison.

    He was called to a cardiologist, an electrocardiogram was performed, and medication was prescribed.

  • The European Federation of Journalists demanded the release of Ivashyn and other journalists imprisoned in Belarus.