Sergei Gordievich is a reporter at an Internet media Piershy Region, popular in the Brest region (the authorities blocked this website on December 31, 2021). The journalist lived and worked in Drahichyn.
In December 2020, he was detained by riot police officers on his way to Brest. He was accused of libel, contempt of the President and a state officer. According to the investigators, he posted offensive comments in a Viber group which was deleted later.
The reporter has spent several months under home arrest. In August 2021, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The journalist did not plead guilty.
'They [law enforcement agencies] were rather worried about my professional activities than the suspected crimes. <...> It seems that investigators followed the once funny saying, "It's important to not come to thyself during an investigation". I declare not being involved in these crimes, I am not guilty. The prosecution failed to prove my guilt and is completely based on hearsay, on firm beliefs of the people unaware how to use the Internet,' said Sergei Gordievich in his final word.
Human rights defenders have recognized the journalist as a political prisoner. His story is hereby told by his colleagues and friends.
On October 27, 2022 Sergei Gordievich was released from penal colony No. 17 in Shklov (Mogilev region). The journalist has completely served his sentence.
On November 14, 2022 the Ministry of Internal Affairs added the journalist to the list of persons involved in extremist activities.