Belarus hands opposition leader’s husband 18 years in prison

Siarhei Tsikhanouski, wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus, speaks to people gathered to sign up and support potential presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus. Picture: AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File

A court in Belarus has sentenced the husband of the country’s opposition leader to 18 years in prison, six months after the trial began behind closed doors.

The charges against Siarhei Tsikhanouski included organising mass unrest and inciting hatred, but have been widely seen as politically motivated.