Aliaksandr Kozik

Aliaksandr Kozik (Belarusian: Аляксандр Козік) is a Belarusian political prisoner serving a remarkably severe sentence for his involvement in political dissent. His case stands out as a stark example of the judicial extremism used by the Belarusian authorities to crush any remnants of the 2020 protest movement.

Kozik was indicted under Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which covers the "Organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them." While this charge is frequently leveled against protesters, the severity of Kozik's sentence is extraordinary. Judge Anastasiya Achalava sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment in a general-security penal colony.

He is currently being held in Penal Colony No. 9 in Horki. This facility has a reputation for being one of the harshest environments for political detainees, characterized by strict isolation and administrative harassment. A 12-year sentence for "violating public order" is viewed by international observers as a purely retaliatory measure, making Aliaksandr Kozik a prominent figure in the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice in Belarus.