Viasna Human Rights Centre
Belarus · Viasna
01Overview
Quick Facts
CountryBelarus
Age / Sex34 · male
Occupation—
Arrested inMinsk, Minsk region
Held atOpen Type Correctional Institution No. 36 Minsk
CategorySocial media
StatusConvicted
Sentence2 years
Belarus · context
1,277documented cases
393 urgent · 116 report torture
Most common grounds
Journalism
101
Legal Profession
11
Medical
2
Culture
1
Case Summary
Maksim Smirnou was sentenced to two years of restricted liberty (chemical regime) for a comment made on a Telegram channel. The authorities interpreted his post as a public insult to the President. His trial took place within the walls of Brest State Technical University.
Native-Language SummaryBE • Original
Максім Смірноў быў асуджаны да двух гадоў «хіміі» (абмежавання волі) за каментар у тэлеграм-канале. Улады расцанілі яго напісанае як публічную абразу прэзідэнта. Суд над ім праходзіў непасрэдна ў Брэсцкага дзяржаўнага тэхнічнага ўніверсітэта.
02Charges
Charges
01 count- 01Insulting the President
Criminal Code Articles
01 articleArt. BY-368
03Analysis
Predicting Vector
Surveillance vector
Technology usedTelegram
04Sources
Data Source
Source vs. PPW analysis
ViasnaCase facts, charges, dates, and status.
PPW analysisRisk, surveillance & sentence estimates — probabilistic, not the source's reporting.
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Cite this case
Political Prisoner Watch. (2026). Case file: Maksim Smirnou (PPW case cmp1serz). Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmp1serzb00i41v9g7qg2v2am. Original data from Viasna Human Rights Centre (https://prisoners.spring96.org/en/person/maksim-smirnou-368).
Formats reflect this case as an online database record. Always verify the original source before citing in legal filings.