Belarus, Russia’s closest ally, accuses 12 Ukrainians of spying

Belarusian Human Rights Center "Viasna" has reported that 12 Ukrainian citizens were detained in Belarus on politically motivated charges of spying and involvement in criminal organizations. Since the onset of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, Belarus has increased its pressure on Ukrainians within its borders. Ukrainian citizens face arrests on administrative and criminal charges, with long interrogations and phone checks at border crossings, according to human rights advocates. Belarus has also begun prosecuting Ukrainians for alleged "collaboration with Ukrainian intelligence agencies." Some eight Ukrainians were accused of "spying" and "involvement in criminal organizations" by Belarus, a country that is a close ally of Russia. Belarusian state television, which is the main source of information on these cases, is broadcasting propaganda reports about the detained individuals. Most trials are held behind closed doors. For instance, Ukrainian forester Viacheslav Borodii was detained in September 2023 in Belarus's Yelsk district, which borders Ukraine's Zhytomyr Oblast. He was accused of being a member of a criminal gang. On 22 October, Belarus held a trial in Minsk City Court, charging Ivan Likholat with “terrorist” activities. His trial, too, was completed behind closed doors. On 10 July 2024, the Bobruisk court sentenced Yurii Bandarenko to 1.5 years in a penal colony for insulting Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The closed trial has kept details of his persecution undisclosed. Maria Misiuk was accused of "collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence agencies." However, her case has not reached court, and her current legal status and whereabouts are unknown. Another Ukrainian citizen, Serhii Boyko, was sentenced in the summer of 2023 for involvement in a criminal organization. His term remains undisclosed. In March 2024, Oleksandr Kotovych was sentenced to five years in prison on multiple charges, including incitement of hatred and insulting Lukashenko. Though the specific accusations remain unclear, Kotovych is serving his sentence at Shklov’s Colony No. 17.

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