Ales Sabaleuski is a former blogger and journalist from Mahilioŭ who collaborated with several independent regional publications. In 2020, Ales was detained multiple times for his journalistic activities.

On December 12, 2023, Ales was detained in Mahilioŭ. The next day, the Kastryčnicki District Court of Mahilioŭ sentenced Ales to 10 days of administrative arrest. The specific reason for his detention and the article under which he was tried have not been disclosed. After serving his term  in full, Sabaleuski was not immediately released from the detention center. Instead, a new administrative report was filed against him under Article 19.11 of the Administrative Code (Dissemination of extremist materials). Ales was transferred to the pre-trial detention center of Mahilioŭ prison No. 4, and a criminal case was opened against him.

According to human rights activists, there may be a connection between Sabaleuski's criminal prosecution and the recognition of certain regional media resources as extremist formations. These resources include a YouTube channel 6TV Belarus, a website Mahilioŭ. Media (News of the Mahilioŭ region).

Ales is charged with "participation of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus in hostilities on the territory of a foreign state without state authorization" (Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code), "creation of an extremist formation" (Part 1 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code) and "participation in an extremist formation" (Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code).

The trial began on July 12, 2024 at the Mahiliou Regional Court. On July 31 Judge Dzmitry Krenzhyeuski sentenced Ales to 4 years in penal colony, as well as a fine of 200 basic.