The Investigative Committee of Belarus announced the start of special proceedings against the heads of the Nexta channel, recognized by the Belarusian authorities as a "terrorist organization", Stepan Putila and Yan Rudzik.

Stepan Putila is charged under 11 articles of the Criminal Code, and Yan Rudzik - under 10 articles.

Unlike Putila, he was not charged with "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization."

The investigative committee announced that it is summoning both Nexta executives for questioning.

What is special management

As the authorities explain, "special conduct is the conduct of a criminal case against the accused who is outside the borders of the Republic of Belarus and avoids appearing before the body that conducts the criminal process."

This is preparation for the recently legalized in Belarus absentee trials of those who are abroad.

In July 2022, Alexander Lukashenko signed a law on changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, which allow Belarusians to be tried abroad in absentia.

On September 27, it became known who is included in the first list for the court in absentia.

All of them are considered by the authorities to be administrators of the "Black Book of Belarus" telegram channel.

On December 12, the first trial in absentia will begin in Belarus: five defendants in the "Black Book of Belarus" case will be summoned to the Minsk City Court on December 12 at 10:00.

The first list for trial in absentia includes the editor of the "extremist" TG channel "Punishers of Belarus" and the YouTube channel "Wild Hunt" ,

, employee of "Black Book of Belarus"

, creator of the sports portal by.tribuna.com and media manager

Navosh. , as well as

.

The authorities consider them administrators of the Telegram channel "Black Book of Belarus".

• The case was investigated within the framework of "special proceedings" - this is "conduct of a criminal case in relation to the accused, who is outside the borders of the Republic of Belarus and avoids appearing before the body that conducts the criminal process."

• In July 2022, Alexander Lukashenko signed a law on changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, which allow Belarusians to be tried abroad in absentia.

• Similar cases were also started against

  Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Pavel Latushka, Olga Kovalkova, Syarhei Dileuski, Maria Moroz

  , as well as participants and managers of the

  Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund;

  human rights center "Viasna";

  Telegram channel Nexta;

  Coordination Council;

  Valera Tsapkaly

  .

  Also, special proceedings were initiated against the famous athlete, Olympic medalist in swimming

  Alexandra Gerasimeni.