Fiodar Shvedau
Former prisoner
Date of birth: 11 February 1976
Date of detention: 26 January 2024
Charges indicted:
- Art. 361-2 of the Criminal Code — Financing the activities of an extremist group
Sentence: 3 1/2 years
Penalty: restricted freedom in an open penal facility ("khimiya")
Judge: Vital Kulesh
Prison: Released awaiting the commencement of the sentence
Groups: Cultural workers
Cases: Donations
Fiodar Shvedau, a well-known participant of the game show 'What? Where? When?', is charged under Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code (financing the activities of an extremist group). The presiding judge is Vital Kulesh.
According to the prosecution, it has been alleged that Shvedau transferred funds to bank accounts that were registered under the names of representatives of 'extremist formations' between December 2020 and March 2021. It has been reported that he utilized a settlement account, payment card, and cell phone that were registered under his name at Sber Bank.
As per SB.Belarus Today, Fiodar made donations of 52.88 rubles to the initiative “Honest People”, 26.7 rubles to the initiative “Belarusian Rada of Culture”, and another 26.20 rubles to the By_Help fund.
During the trial, Shvedau admitted partial guilt. He explained that he did not intend to provide money to extremist groups but instead transferred the funds for charitable purposes to help pay fines, lawyers, and medicine for people who participated in the protests.
On April 19, 2024, Vital Kulesh found Shvedau guilty and sentenced him to three years and six months of restricted freedom in an open penal facility ("khimiya") and confiscation of his phone.