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Belarusian Rights Activist Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison Over 2020 Election Protest


Belarusian activist Alyaksandra Kasko
Belarusian activist Alyaksandra Kasko

Alyaksandra Kasko, a Belarusian rights activist who was arrested in early February right after she returned from Poland, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges related to her protesting the official results of a widely disputed presidential election in 2020 that handed strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka victory. Kasko, 30, was sentenced on December 19 by a court in the western city of Hrodna. The charges include inciting hatred, organizing an extremist group, assisting in extremist activities, spreading lies about authoritarian ruler Lukashenka, and contempt of court. Kasko joined widespread opposition protests against the official result of the 2020 vote that handed victory to Lukashenka. She has been declared a political prisoner by rights organizations. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.

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