Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ex-Member Of Military In Belarus Sentenced To 19 Years For 'Treason'


The court in Minsk convicted Paval Kuchynski of "treason against the state." (file photo)
The court in Minsk convicted Paval Kuchynski of "treason against the state." (file photo)

A court in Minsk has convicted and sentenced a former member of the military to 19 years in prison for “treason against the state,” RFE/RL’s Belarus Service reports. Paval Kuchynski was reported to have been a member of BYPOL, a group that unites former law enforcement officers who support opposition politicians. It was founded in 2020 in the wake of unprecedented mass protests questioning official presidential election results giving a victory and sixth term to authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka. In August 2022, BYPOL was designated a terrorist organization by the Supreme Court of Belarus. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, click here.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG