Kyiv Court of Appeal rejected the appeal against the arrest of Belarusian journalist Inna Kardash, who was detained on January 20 on suspicion of spying for the Belarusian KGB. Courtroom reporters and information agencies reported this from the courtroom.

Kardash has been working in Ukraine since 2019: initially at the 112 channel, later at Interfax Ukraine. According to investigators, since then she maintained constant contacts with a Belarusian citizen who was allegedly recruited to cooperate with the Belarusian security services.

The Appellate Court kept Inna Kardash in custody.

In September 2025 she traveled to Belarus, where, according to the investigation, she was also recruited by the KGB. Later she signed a contract with Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence and became a member of the Coordinating Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. There, according to investigators, she photographed secret documents and transmitted them to her supervisor at the KGB.

After the arrest, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Kyiv remanded Kardash in custody, but her defender Kateryna Yusupova filed an appeal. At the February 16 hearing she asked to release the defendant, arguing that the prosecutor had not justified the risks of being at liberty.

“The documents that were disclosed to us do not prove the crime for which my client is accused. Moreover, she informed and explained in court and during the investigator’s questioning exactly what the communication entailed, which they accuse her of as spying”

– Kateryna Yusupova

Kardash participated in the hearing via video link from the detention facility; she stated that she has no intention of fleeing, and she does not have a passport for such a step.

The prosecutor insisted on keeping her in custody: according to him, the suspicion is supported by wiretap recordings and by an expert examination confirming that Kardash forwarded secret documents to the couriers. He also noted that the Belarusian side has no established ties in Ukraine.

“The suspicion is confirmed by wiretap recordings, as well as by an examination confirming that Kardash forwarded secret documents to the couriers.”

– Prosecutor

According to the prosecutor, Kardash lost her position at the Main Intelligence Directorate and has no children, except for her husband, who was also considered for recruitment. Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine released a video from the journalist’s apartment, where, according to the investigation, she allegedly tried to recruit someone; TSN described this person as a volunteer whom Kardash allegedly enticed.

After hearing both sides, a panel of judges chaired by Valeriy Lashyevych ruled to reject the defense’s appeal. During a break, her attorney offered Kardash to comment via video link, but she declined.

Next steps in the case

Thus, the Kyiv Appellate Court’s decision keeps Inna Kardash in custody during the conduct of investigative actions.