On August 20, 2024, the Vitsebsk Regional Court started the second in camera trial of Volha Brytsikava, the former Chairperson of the workplace union organization at the Naftan oil refinery in Navapolatsk affiliated to the Belarusian Independent Trade Union.
In April she was sentenced to three years in prison and now she faces new charges under three Articles of the Criminal Code: propaganda of extremist activities, fomenting social discord, and calls for sanctions threatening national security. The presiding judge is Yavheni Burunou.
Volha Brytsikava had worked at Naftan for 16 years before she was dismissed for her civic position. She was repeatedly detained for anti-war protests and dissemination of materials branded as extremist. In 2022, she spent 105 days in detention, 75 of those in a row.
On April 8, 2024,,the Vitsebsk Regional Court found her guilty of fomenting social animosity and discord and sentenced her to three years in prison. This verdict was sustained by the Supreme Court, following an appeal. In June, Volha was transferred to the Women’s Penetentiary No. 4 in the town of Homel, and, in view of the new trial, she was brought back to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility No. 2 in Vitsebsk.
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