German citizen sentenced to death in Belarus

Rico Krieger, a German citizen, was sentenced to death in Belarus after being charged with six crimes, including for being a "mercenary" and engaging in "espionage".

Source: Vyasna Human Rights Center and the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: According to Vyasna, 30-year-old Krieger was arrested in November 2023, and the proceedings against him took place in June at the Minsk Regional Court.

The verdict was issued on 24 June. Krieger was found guilty of "triggering an explosion in order to influence the decision-making of the authorities, intimidating the population, destabilising public order (an act of terrorism) committed by a person who had previously committed crimes under Art. 295.4 of the Criminal Code, organised by a group".

The court did not provide any comments, while state departments and news outlets did not report any arrests based on such allegations.

According to Vyasna's information, Krieger was previously a medic with the German Red Cross. In Belarus, he was immediately charged under six articles: mercenary work, espionage, terrorism, creation of an extremist formation, deliberate disabling of vehicles or railways, and illegal actions in relation to firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The Krieger case purportedly involves the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, a group of Belarusian opposition volunteers, which was formed to fight Russians in Ukraine, and more specifically its structural brigade named Western.

This was Belarus' first court to hear charges of "mercenary work", while Belarusians seeking to join Ukraine's defence forces are tried under a different law – involvement in an armed formation on another state's territory.

Human rights activists are unsure whether the ruling is being appealed or whether it has gone into effect.

The German Embassy responded to Radio Liberty's request for comment, stating that it was aware of Krieger's case and offered him consular services, but could not provide further information.

The German Foreign Ministry acknowledged to DW that it was aware of the situation.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in Minsk provide consular services to the victim and actively represent his interests," the German Foreign Ministry stated, adding that Germany considers death penalty an unacceptable form of punishment.

Earlier last week, Belarusian leader Lukashenko authorised visa-free travel for 35 "unfriendly" European countries.

Meanwhile, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have prohibited the entry of vehicles bearing Belarusian registration numbers.

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