Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

Former Belarusian opposition leader gets 17-year sentence in absentia

A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus. Valery Tsepkalo, 58, was also fined around $14,000 and barred from holding public office for five years following a closed-door trial that resulted in his conviction. Other charges included issuing calls to seize power, slander and insu…

Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus. Valery Tsepkalo, 58, was also fined around $14,000 and barred from holding public office for five years following a closed-door trial that resulted in his conviction. Other charges included issuing calls to seiz…

Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus.

Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus.

Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus.

Former Belarus politician gets 17-year sentence in absentia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition leader and former ally of President Alexander Lukashenko received a 17-year prison sentence in absentia Friday on charges that included forming an extremist group and discrediting Belarus.