German National Sentenced To Death In Belarus Pardoned By Lukashenka
German citizen Rico Krieger had been sentenced to death in Belarus. (file photo)
German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death on terrorism charges by a Belarusian court, was pardoned by the country’s authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka on July 30 following a pardon request announced on the same day, according to a press release from Lukashenka’s office.
A Telegram channel associated with Lukashenka's office saidhe convened a meeting with Belarusian KGB director Ivan Tertel, Krieger’s lawyer, and Lyudmila Gladkaya, who works for a state-owned newspaper and recently published the details of the trial against Krieger.
"[Lukashenka] invited people involved in the [pardoning] process to hear details, thoughts, and to get 'opinions,'" the Pul Pergova channel said of the meeting that preceded the pardon.
Lukashenka's office provided no additional information about the pardon.
Belarus Under Lukashenka: 30 Years Of Dictatorship In 30 Posters
1/16On display in Vilnius, works by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depict the struggle of Belarusians as they endure the 30 years of Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rule.
"Six months ago, as I was reflecting on this sad anniversary and its consequences, I came up with a project concept.... I made 30 posters, each depicting the horrific outcomes of Lukashenka's rule for society, politics, economy, and culture.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
2/16"Lukashenka is one of the record holders [in terms of length of stay in power]. Lithuanians, Poles, Czechs -- they understand that everything is bad in Belarus, but they don't understand what 30 [years] means.... It's very, very strong," Vakarau (pictured) said at the opening.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
3/16"Damn, that's 30 years (of Lukashenka's regime in Belarus)!" Vakarau exclaimed.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
5/16Tsikhanouskaya claimed to have defeated Lukashenka in the 2020 Belarusian presidential vote after she ran in place of her husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, who was imprisoned in solitary confinement in Belarus.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
6/16In a speech at the opening, Tsikhanouskaya said, "The handcuffs depicted in one of Artur Vakarau’s posters perfectly convey what has been happening in Belarus over the past 30 years."
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
7/16"This exhibition is not about the regime. It is about all those who have fought against the regime over these years, including our heroes, the political prisoners."
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
8/16"Every day, we remember them and do everything we can to free our loved ones and friends from prison."
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
9/16"The past 30 years have been, above all, 30 years of heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance. Resistance that continues to this day."
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
10/16“For us Belarusians, it is crucial to stick together, meet each other, and remind ourselves of who we are and where we come from. We should remember that one day we will come back home and celebrate our free and democratic Belarus," Tsikhanouskaya said.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
11/16The event was attended by members of the Belarusian diaspora as well as Belarusian and Lithuanian politicians.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
16/16The exhibition will be available for viewing until August 24.
An exhibition of 30 images by Belarusian designer Artur Vakarau depicting the "heroic, unyielding, and stubborn resistance" of Belarusians under Alyaksandr Lukashenka's 30-year rule has opened near the Museum of Occupations and Struggle for Freedom in Vilnius, Lithuania.
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Details of Krieger's case were not known until the Vyasna human rights group reported earlier this month that he was sentenced to death in June for mercenary activity, terrorism, creating an extremist group, intentionally damaging a vehicle, and illegal operations with firearms and explosives.
According to Vyasna, it was the first trial in Belarus for "mercenary activity."
On July 25, the state-run Belarus-1 television channel aired the video of the 30-year-old Krieger shown sitting behind bars in handcuffs and “repenting” for the crimes he was sentenced for.
During the 17-minute video Krieger said he was sorry and expressed hope that Lukashenka, who has run Belarus with an iron fist for 30 years, will pardon him.
The practice of showing so-called repentance videos by opposition politicians or activists made under apparent duress after their arrests has been common in Belarus for years.
Krieger's "confession" appeared as though it was being used for propaganda purposes, with him speaking German with a voiceover translation into Russian.
After the broadcast, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it was "unbearable how the Belarusian regime paraded a German national on television."
She said the Foreign Office and the German Embassy in Minsk were in "close contact" with Krieger and his family and were providing consular support.
"We must do everything to ensure that his rights are maintained and remain protected," Baerbock added.
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!["Lukashenka is one of the record holders [in terms of length of stay in power]. Lithuanians, Poles, Czechs -- they understand that everything is bad in Belarus, but they don't understand what 30 [years] means.... It's very, very strong," Vakarau (pictured) said at the opening.<br />
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