The four of them were sentenced to imprisonment. According to the case materials, the accused had planned to organize riots in Gomel, seize the buildings of the state bodies and appoint their heads of administrations. The defendants pleaded not guilty. The circumstances of the criminal case became known during the investigation of the case of Sergei Tikhanovsky. The operatives were investigating those who had planned the organization of mass unrest during the political campaign in Belarus.
The persons in question were found guilty of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 13, Part 2. They were sentenced to deprivation of liberty for 6 years each.
Operatives had information that people close to one of the former candidates were preparing to seize government buildings. These people were selecting former military servicemen, policemen and rescuers for their team. And on August 5 they gathered to discuss a specific plan of action. Tihanovskaya herself was present at the meeting.
The verdict has not come into force. It can be appealed in due course.
