Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death for terrorism and espionage, according to multiple sources. Krieger, a 30-year-old rescue paramedic, was arrested in October 2023 and sentenced to death in a secret trial in June 2024.Krieger was found guilty of six crimes under the Belarusian Criminal Code, including terrorism, mercenary activities, and cooperation with foreign special services. He was accused of photographing military installations, including ‘Iskander’ missile launchers in Osipovichy, and planting an explosive device on a railway line near Minsk.In a controversial appearance on Belarusian state television, Krieger claimed he had been acting on instructions from the Ukrainian security service (SBU) and expressed regret for his actions. However, human rights activists have raised concerns about the potential use of coercion in obtaining such confessions.The pardon comes after Krieger appealed to Lukashenko for clemency. Before making his decision, Lukashenko met with those involved in the case, including Krieger’s lawyer. The Belarusian leader described the decision as ‘one of the most difficult tasks for a president’.This case has drawn significant international attention. The German government had expressed concern about Krieger’s situation and provided consular support. Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, living in exile, welcomed the pardon.Speculation has arisen about the possibility of a prisoner exchange, with some suggesting that Krieger could be swapped for individuals of interest to Russia or Belarus. Belarus is the only European country that still applies the death penalty, typically carried out by firing squad.
Key points
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death for terrorism and espionage.
- Krieger was accused of working with Ukrainian special services and planting an explosive device on a railway line near Minsk.
- The case has drawn international attention, with speculation about a possible prisoner exchange and concerns about the fairness of the trial.
Contradictions👾While some sources report that Krieger admitted to working with Ukrainian special services, others suggest that these confessions may have been coerced.
The exact circumstances of Krieger’s activities and the evidence against him remain unclear.
