The ruling states that while at home in the village of Luzhesno, Melnikov reposted a picture of Lukashenko and negative statements about him on Odnoklassniki. In doing so, he "publicly and indecently insulted the president."
The man fully admitted his guilt in court. The defendant's wife confirmed in court that the page with the repost belonged to her husband.
The man was held in custody pending trial.
According to human rights activists, he was released on December 28, 2024, having fully served his sentence as determined by the court.
