Three Belarusian "rail partisans" sentenced to over 20 years in prison

Three Belarusians, who tried to prevent the transportation of military equipment to Ukraine in the first days of the Russian invasion, have been sentenced to prison terms of 21-23 years.

Source: Gomel Spring Human Rights Centre

Details: According to an explanation given by the Investigative Committee of Belarus, Oleg Molchanov, Dmitrii Ravich and Denis Dikun set fire to the relay cabinet on the Zherd-Ostankovichi station on the railway road leading to Ukraine on 28 February, the fifth day of the full-scale war. As a result of their actions, the traffic lights and switches on this section of the railway were disabled for some time.

The court in Gomel, Belarus, charged the "railway partisans" under the articles of "terrorism", "treason", "deliberate damage to communication routes" and "participation in an extremist group".

The court sentenced Molchanov to 21 years of imprisonment, Ravich to 22 years, and Dikun to 23 years. They were also fined 4,800 Belarusian roubles [approximately US$1,916] each and the property found during the searches was confiscated.

Background: At the end of June, the Investigative Committee of Belarus announced the completion of the investigation into Molchanov, Ravich and Dikun. The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus also stated that the men may face the maximum penalty of death for committing these acts.

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