Prague court upholds sanctions against Belarusian journalist

The Prague Municipal Court has confirmed that Belarusian journalist Natalia Sudlianková, who worked in the Czech Republic for many years, was an influential agent of Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, and actively spread Russian propaganda.

Sudlianková, who had previously been granted asylum in Czechia, was placed on the government’s sanctions list in April 2025 and forced to leave the country. The court rejected her lawsuit against the decision, drawing also on classified information, iRozhlas reported Friday.

According to the ruling, Sudlianková was instructed and paid by a GRU officer and an employee of USM Holding, founded by sanctioned Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov. She secretly worked in the interests of Russian organisations, including the GRU, the Foundation for the Protection and Support of the Rights of Compatriots Abroad and the Immortal Regiment of Russia.

Her activities were uncovered by the Security Information Service, which prompted the government to sanction both Sudlianková and her alleged liaison officer Alexei Shavrov. Both were ordered to leave Czechia within 30 days.