German Citizen Sentenced To Death In Belarus In Case Of Mercenaries

JAKARTA - Germany's foreign ministry said a German citizen was sentenced to death in Belarus. Berlin is in intensive contact with authorities in Minsk regarding its fate.

Belarus, Russia's close ally, is the only country in Europe that still applies the death penalty.

The German ministry did not name its citizens, but earlier on Friday, July 19, Belarusian human rights organization Viasna said a German citizen named Rico Kriegier was sentenced to death in Belarus on charges related to terrorism and the activities of mercenaries, citing unnamed sources.

In a statement posted on its website, Viasna said Kriegier had been detained since November 2023 and was found guilty on June 24.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy in Minsk provided consular support to the person and worked intensively with Belarusian authorities on behalf of him," the German Foreign Ministry said.

Belarus's Ministry of Justice, which has not reported a similar case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, supports Russia in the conflict in neighboring Ukraine, and the country is under extensive Western sanctions.

Human rights group Viasna said the allegations were linked to the Kalinouski Regiment, a group of anti-government Belarusian exiles who fought for Ukraine. The Kalinouski Regiment declined to comment.

LinkedIn's account on behalf of Krieger shows him posing in front of the Ukrainian flag.