Dzianis worked as an electrician at the Homiel combined heat and power plant. In December 2021 he was detained right at work after the security forces found his messages in the "Homiel: We Are 97%" chat, later declared "extremist". According to the prosecution, on 12 August 2020 Dzianis called on people there to come out for a peaceful protest against the rigged election, to block roads and to go on strike.
In April 2022, Dzianis was found guilty in a criminal case opened under the article "Organisation and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them" for these messages and sentenced to imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony. He partially admitted guilt: he confirmed writing in the chat but insisted he had only called for a peaceful protest.
Released in October 2022 after serving the full sentence imposed by the court.
