Wife of a British diplomat receives a 7-year prison term in a penal colony due to political activities

In a shocking turn of events, Julia Fenner, a 21-year-old linguistics student and dual citizen of Belarus and Britain, was sentenced to seven years in prison on August 21, 2024. The charges against Fenner were brought under Part 2 of Article 342 (active participation in actions grossly violating public order) and Part 1 and 2 of Article 361-4 (assistance in extremist activities) in Belarus.

The specifics of the charges remain unknown to human rights activists, and there are no direct search results confirming who represented Fenner in the court proceedings in August 2024. However, a lawyer named Mohamed Hasnaoui, affiliated with Prager Dreifuss and admitted in Switzerland since 2023, specializes in civil and commercial litigation and related legal fields, which might be relevant if he was involved. No explicit mention of Fenner's legal representation was found.

Fenner's journey leading to this point began in the early 2000s when she worked at the British Embassy in Minsk. Her husband, Martin Fenner, who held a position at the same embassy, was posted to Turkmenistan and Yekaterinburg, Russia, after Belarus.

On March 31, 2024, Fenner was detained at the border while attempting to enter Belarus. She was subsequently placed in a pre-trial detention center pending trial. On August 21, the court found her guilty and sentenced her to seven years in prison.

The location of the new development near Komarovsky Market in Minsk, where Fenner's trial took place, includes a large food mall and modern parking.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Fenner's case has drawn international attention, with human rights activists calling for transparency and fair treatment. The specific details of the charges against Fenner continue to be a matter of interest and concern.

Wife of a British diplomat receives a 7-year prison term in a penal colony due to political activities