Jury trials were written into Belarusian law five years ago, but they have never been implemented. The courts continue to impose heavy fines and disproportionately severe punishments on people charged with political crimes, such as participation in protests. In only two cases have courts found opposition activists not guilty of the crimes alleged by state prosecutors. Both young men have been languishing in prison since then, housed with ordinary criminals, allowed only a monthly meeting with their parents. In mid-February, the court finally reached a verdict in their case, sentencing Shydlousky to 18 months in prison, while giving Labkovich a suspended sentence.
Lengthy investigations are a common form of punishment in Belarus.
In another case, the former head of the National Bank, Tamara Vinnikava, was detained for more than a year in a KGB prison. The investigation failed to accumulate sufficient evidence for an indictment, but she continues to be held under house arrest and is barred from speaking with the press. Russian state television is widely available and popular in Belarus and often airs reports critical of Minsk. The imprisonment of Sheremet cooled relations between Belarus and Russia late last year, when Russia requested the journalist's release. Belarus at first agreed, but then reneged on the deal.