The trial was held behind closed doors and without the accused present in accordance with a new law Lukahsenko signed in July, which allowed courts to try Belarusians who had fled abroad in absentia.In addition to handing Herasimenia a prison term, the court also ruled to seize her apartment, her car and 48,000 in her bank accounts.According to Belarus most prominent human rights group, Viasna, 1,439 political prisoners are currently behind bars in Belarus.Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who also faces prosecution and lives in exile in Lithuania, condemned the sentences handed to Herasimenia and Opeikin on Monday.Shameful..
By YURAS KARMANAU
Associated Press TALLINN, Estonia (AP) Belarusian authorities have handed lengthy prison terms to two opposition activists who had fled the country. It was the first court verdict against dissidents that was announced in absentia. Aliaksandra Herasimenia and Alexander Opeikin were each sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday. A court in Minsk convicted the two on the charges of calling for sanctions and inflicting harm on t…