Siarhei Sakalou
sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment
Date of birth: 24 February 1976
Date of detention: 20 August 2021
Charges indicted:
Art. 295 of the Criminal Code — Unlawful acts against firearms, ammunition and explosives
Art. 357 of the Criminal Code — Conspiracy to seize power in an unconstitutional way
Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it
Art. 289 of the Criminal Code — An act of terrorism
Art. 333-1 of the Criminal Code — Illegal cross-border transportation of poisonous, poisonous substances, radioactive materials, weapons, military equipment
Sentence: 14 years
Penalty: imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony
Judge: Siarhei Khrypach
Statement on the status of a political prisoner
Siarhei Sakalou is a military pensioner from Lida, Hrodna region. He was suspected of preparing an assassination attempt on Aleh Haidukevich, a pro-government parliament member, and other public officials, as well as of illegal importation and storage of weapons allegedly for preparing terrorist acts.
On June 21, 2023, the Minsk City Court announced the verdict. There were 18 defendants in the case, 15 of whom were in custody, and three were convicted in absentia. The trial lasted for four and a half months. Judge Siarhei Khrypach sentenced Siarhei Sakalou to 14 years of imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony and 700 base fines (22,400 Belarusian rubles or approx. $7,360) and deprived him of his military rank.
17 more political prisoners were convicted in the case: Vadzim Prakopyeu, Ihar Chamiakin, Dzianis Khamitsevich, Siarhei Lisouski, Piotr Yurkevich, Pavel Chykhinski, Dzianis Filonchyk, Vital Vaitsiakhovich, Anastasiya Vaitsiakhovich, Volha Vaitsiakhovich, Uladzislau Vaitsiakhovich, Uladzimir Saviankou, Dzmitryi Neviarkevich, Volha Piatukh, Mikalai Roi, Eduard Piastrak, and Aliaksei Mikhailau.
