Viasna Human Rights Centre
Belarus · Viasna
01Overview
Quick Facts
CountryBelarus
Age / Sex43 · male
Occupation—
Arrested inMinsk, Minsk region
Held atInvestigation Center No. 8 Zhodzina
CategorySocial media
StatusConvicted
Sentence9 years
Belarus · context
1,277documented cases
393 urgent · 116 report torture
Most common grounds
Journalism
101
Legal Profession
11
Medical
2
Culture
1
Reports of Torture or Ill-treatment.
Subjected to physical abuse or severe ill-treatment in detention. Violation of international law.
Case Summary
Yuryi Bjalko, an engineer, was detained during the mass protests in September 2020. He was a key figure in the 'Chat Case,' where he was accused of involvement in a radical Telegram chat. Despite claims of being framed with weapons and explosives, he was sentenced to 9 years in a strict-regime prison. He has also faced multiple disciplinary sanctions in detention.
Key Facts
01 entries- 01[politzek] Юрий по образованию инженер ПВО, окончил Военную академию. Перед задержанием работал менеджером по продажам.
Native-Language SummaryBE • Original
Юрый Бялько, інжынер, быў затрыманы падчас масавых беспарадкаў у верасні 2020 года. Ён быў фігурантам «справы чата», дзе яго абвінавачывалі ў удзеле ў радыкальным тэлеграм-чаце. Нягледзячы на заявы аб фальсіфікацыі доказ (зброі і выбухоўкі), яго асудзілі да 9 гадоў у турме строгага рэжыму. Ён таксама часта трапляў у штрафныя ізалятары.
02Charges
Charges
03 count- 01Intentional destruction or damage of property
- 02Illegal actions involving firearms, ammunition and explosives
- 03Preparation for participation in mass riots
Criminal Code Articles
03 articleArt. BY-218Art. BY-295Art. BY-293
03Analysis
Predicting Vector
Surveillance vector
Surveillance vectorSocial Media Monitoring
Technology usedTelegram
04Timeline
Case Timeline
Arrest date
September 29, 2020
Sentence served
5y 9mo / 9 years
05Sources
Data Source
Source vs. PPW analysis
ViasnaCase facts, charges, dates, and status.
PPW analysisRisk, surveillance & sentence estimates — probabilistic, not the source's reporting.
View all data sources →§ Updates
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Cite this case
Political Prisoner Watch. (2026). Case file: Yuryi Bjalko (PPW case cmmkyi0n). Retrieved July 6, 2026, from https://politicalprisonerwatch.org/prisoners/cmmkyi0nx00261vcf7jesxmxo. Original data from Viasna Human Rights Centre (https://prisoners.spring96.org/en/person/juryi-bjalko).
Formats reflect this case as an online database record. Always verify the original source before citing in legal filings.