Ukrainian convicted in absentia in Belarus for blowing up Russian A-50 aircraft in Machulishchy
A court in Minsk has handed down sentences to 12 Belarusian citizens accused of sabotage at the military airfield in Machulishchy in February 2023. Ukrainian Mykola Shvets, who was previously transferred to Ukraine as part of an exchange, was also sentenced in absentia.
Source: Belarusian service of Radio Liberty
Details: The Minsk City Court announced the sentences of 12 Belarusian citizens accused of sabotage at the military airfield in Machulishchy in February 2023. They were sentenced to 2 to 25 years in prison. They were charged with up to 11 criminal articles, including terrorism and treason. Some of the sentences were passed in absentia.
A citizen of Ukraine, Mykola Shvets, who is considered by the investigation to be the main perpetrator of the sabotage, was also sentenced in absentia. The man was released from the pre-trial detention centre in June 2024 and handed over to Ukraine as part of an exchange.
Journalists clarify that those defendants who were not directly involved in the sabotage and may not have been aware of its preparation, such as those who gave Mykola Shvets a lift or helped him rent an apartment, were also sentenced.
Background:
- In February 2023, Belarusian activists reported that a Russian A-50 had been damaged in a sabotage attack at the Machulishchy military airfield.
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