Iryna Leushyna

Director, BelaPAN News Agency

Detained: 18 Aug 2021
Charges: Art. 342 of the Criminal Code — Organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them;
Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation
Status: Arrested

Iryna Leushyna is director of the BelaPAN news agency.

Leushyna was arested on August 18, 2021, after security officers searched her home and BelaPAN’s office in Minsk. Iryna was detained for 72 hours under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization or preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or participation in them). 10 days after arrest, Leushyna was transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 in Minsk.

In early September, Leushyna was officially charged under Part 2 of Art. 243 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion entailing large-scale damage).

In November, Leushyna faced new charges of “creating an extremist formation”.