Aliaksandra Pulinovich, 16 years old at the time of her arrest, was sentenced to more than ten years in a penal colony.

Omissions

• The exact sentence is 10 years and 3 months, which the MEP approximated as 'more than ten years' — a reasonable simplification for rhetorical purposes.
• The MEP omitted the specific charge: she was convicted under Article 289 of the Belarusian Criminal Code for an act of terrorism, related to painting protest slogans.
• The European Parliament adopted an urgency resolution on her case on 18 June 2026, one day after the session in which this claim was made.

Sources

• SecondaryHuman Rights Center 'Viasna' (spring96.org)Date of birth: 12 February 2007; Date of detention: 12 January 2024; Date of verdict: 2025; Sentence: 10 years 3 months; Penalty: medium-security penal colony; Article 289 of the Criminal Code — An act of terrorism.
• SecondaryEU Neighbours EastOn 18 June, the European Parliament strongly condemned the continued repression of political prisoners in Belarus, highlighting the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich.
• SecondaryND BelarusAliaksandra Pulinovich was detained at 16 and sentenced to over 10 years in prison under politically motivated charges.