The three-year prison sentence handed to Dmitry Semchenko, a former correspondent for ONT, the Belarusian state television channel that is part of the presidential pool, remains unchanged. This development was confirmed by the area’s Supreme Court. The court’s ruling follows the appeal decision issued on May 23 by the Criminal Cases Tribunal of the Supreme Court of Appeals, which left intact the Minsk City Court’s March 23, 2023 verdict in the criminal case, and the complaint was not granted.
Previously, the Minsk City Court convicted Semchenko, who worked for the Belarusian state channel, to three years behind bars. The case drew heightened attention amid ongoing concerns about media freedom and the handling of journalists in Belarus. In October 2022, the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s Office announced Semchenko’s detention. Authorities alleged that he participated in broadcasts on several Telegram channels during 2020 to 2022 and engaged in conversations intended to incite public discontent against law enforcement agencies.
Earlier reporting indicated that the Supreme Court of Belarus was set to review the appeal related to Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was sentenced in absentia on June 20. The outcome of that appeal was not detailed in the same brief, but the Supreme Court’s current decision in Semchenko’s case stands as the latest development in a succession of high-profile actions involving state media figures and political figures connected to the Belarusian leadership.
Observers note that the case underscores how legal processes are evolving in Belarus, particularly in relation to journalists, information dissemination on social platforms, and the state’s approach to content perceived as challenging to official narratives. The decision to maintain the three-year term for Semchenko, despite petitions for reconsideration, highlights the persistent legal framework surrounding media figures and political personalities associated with the executive branch. The broader context includes ongoing debates about press freedom, dissent, and the use of criminal charges in political disputes, which continue to attract international attention and commentary from human rights groups and foreign observers.
In a landscape marked by rapid changes in communications technology, authorities have increasingly scrutinized online activity, including broadcasts on messaging apps and social networks. The Semchenko case is seen by some analysts as emblematic of the complexity of contemporary information flows in Belarus, where state channels, independent voices, and the digital public square intersect with legal mechanisms that can swiftly translate online conduct into criminal charges. While the verdict affirms the severity of the sentence, it also raises questions about due process, transparency, and the possible chilling effect on journalism and expression within the country.
As this legal saga unfolds, international and regional voices continue to monitor the situation, calling for clarity and proportionality in any measures that limit freedom of expression. The evolving story of Semchenko, along with related cases involving public figures and media professionals, remains a focal point for discussions about governance, media rights, and the role of the judiciary in shaping public discourse in Belarus.