Belarusian court sentences two Ukrainian citizens to 20 years in prison "for preparing terrorist attacks"

A Belarusian court has sentenced Ukrainian citizens Serhii Kabarchuk and his son to 20 years in prison for involvement in a sabotage and reconnaissance group (SRG) that, according to the investigation, planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Belarus and Russia.

Source: Belarusian state-owned news outlet BelTA

Quote: "The father and his son were found guilty on all charges. Ultimately, each defendant was sentenced to 20 years in prison under Article 13.1, Article 289.3, Article 295.4, Article 333-1, and Article 358-1 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, with a term in a maximum-security penal colony, as well as a fine of 700 Belarusian roubles (approximately US$210) each."

Details: The case file indicates that Serhii Kabarchuk and his son were detained in southern Belarus in February 2024 while attempting to cross the border from Ukraine into Belarus. They are accused of "participating in an SRG" made up of Ukrainian and Belarusian citizens.

The investigation claims that the detainees were in possession of explosive devices intended to commit terrorist attacks primarily in Russia and Belarus and that the infiltration of the SRG into Belarus through the border had been orchestrated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).

BelTA added that the detainees cooperated with the investigation.

Belarusian secret services believe that Serhii Kabarchuk, who goes under the alias Butler, used to serve in Ukraine's State Border Guard Service. Following his dismissal, he and his sons, Bohdan and Pavlo, were allegedly involved in smuggling activities. The Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) asserts that the SSU organised the "infiltration of the SRG into Belarus" and claims that the explosive devices were provided to the detainees just prior to their border crossing attempt.

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