Japanese Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Espionage in Belarus

A Belarusian court has sentenced Japanese national Masatoshi Nakanishi to seven years in prison for espionage, alleging he collected sensitive information on military and civilian installations near the Belarus-Ukraine border. Nakanishi, who had been detained since July 2024, was tried behind closed doors, with the court denying access to representatives from the Japanese Embassy, further raising concerns over transparency and fairness. Human rights organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Centre, have labeled him a political prisoner, highlighting the broader context of Belarus' political repression under President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarusian state media claimed Nakanishi took over 9,000 photographs related to national security, while Japanese authorities protested the handling of the case and the lack of public trial. The case adds tension to the already strained diplomatic relations between Belarus and Japan, amidst ongoing human rights concerns in Belarus. Nakanishi’s defense and the specifics of the evidence presented during the trial remain undisclosed, leaving many questions about due process unanswered.