18:25 Lazouskaja released; prosecutors do not give up
Iryna Lazouskaja, a renowned journalist and the owner of the Kamila fashion boutique in Minsk, has been released from prison. She has spent one and a half years behind bars. Lazouskaja was accused of fraud and tax evasion. The law-enforcement agencies said her activities cost hundreds of thousand of US dollars in losses.
However, a district court in Minsk found Iryna Lazouskaja guilty only of tax evasion and sentenced her to three years in prison. At the same time, the judge admitted that her term behind bars should be counted as one day for two.
The court also dropped the heaviest charges and ruled to release Iryna Lazouskaja. The judge also rejected all the motions. The verdict has not yet been put into force, and the prosecutor's office said they would appeal the ruling.
However, a district court in Minsk found Iryna Lazouskaja guilty only of tax evasion and sentenced her to three years in prison. At the same time, the judge admitted that her term behind bars should be counted as one day for two.
The court also dropped the heaviest charges and ruled to release Iryna Lazouskaja. The judge also rejected all the motions. The verdict has not yet been put into force, and the prosecutor's office said they would appeal the ruling.
