Dzianis Urad is a former special liaison officer of the Armed Forces’ General Staff.

According to state-owned media, on March 14, Urad photographed a secret letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Minister of Defense, while on duty as a special liaison officer of the Armed Forces’ General Staff. Urad sent a copy of the letter, which authorized the involvement of the Armed Forces in law enforcement activities, to a "Polish Telegram channel".

On May 14, the Supreme Court sentenced Dzianis Urad to 18 years in a medium-security penal colony, finding him guilty of high treason (Part 2 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code). Urad was also deprived of his military rank. The trial was held behind closed doors.

The verdict is final and not subject to appeal.

Who are former law enforcers persecuted for speaking out against Lukashenka

Last May Lukashenka stripped of military and special ranks more than 80 former officers of law enforcement bodies, who joined the independent association of security forces ByPOL or supported protests. Viasna collected names of former law enforcement and military officers who spoke out against Lukashenka's regime and who are persecuted by the state. Most of them are recognized as political prisoners.