A Belarusian Special Forces Officer Was Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison

• 19.10.2026, 15:05

For “treason against the state.”

The Minsk Regional Court sentenced special forces officer Yevgeny Zharikov to 19 years in a maximum-security prison under the charge of treason (Part 2, Article 356 of the Criminal Code), according to “Viasna”.

According to human rights activists, the 23-year-old resident of Bobruisk was also fined 500 base units (22,500 rubles).

The case was heard behind closed doors, so the details of the charges are unknown. The verdict was handed down back in May, but human rights activists have only just learned of it.

According to “Viasna,” the KGB detained the Belarusian man back in February 2025. The reason for his detention and his current whereabouts are unknown.