Belarus could have lured Germans in case
For about a year, a German has been in detention in Belarus. According to a report, the German government is trying to save Rico Krieger's life, as per the news from the "Spiegel" research.
German national Rico Krieger was arrested in Belarus in early October 2023 following an explosion at a railway track in the Minsk suburb of Oserishche, as per "Spiegel" investigations. The Minsk Regional Court sentenced Krieger to death by shooting for alleged illegal weapons possession, espionage, membership in an extremist organization, mercenary activity, and terrorism.
According to Belpol, an exile organization of former Belarusian law enforcement officials, the man, who had previously lived in Hildesheim, Germany, was arrested along with two Belarusians. However, these individuals do not appear in the trial documents obtained by "Spiegel." "We believe that K. was set up," says Uladzimir Zhyhar, Belpol spokesperson. The damages specified in the trial against Krieger amount to 1639.66 Belarusian rubles, approximately 460 Euro.
The Belarusian regime accuses the 30-year-old German of belonging to the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment of Belarusians. The regiment fights in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of Kiev. The Regiment denies that Krieger was part of their fighting force. Dsjanis Procharau, former commander and now an officer of the Regiment, hinted in response to a query that the German had expressed interest in joining: "He seemed to want to, but he wasn't with us."
Diplomats in Berlin report that the German had confessed to friends in Ukraine that he had fought there and worked for the Ukrainian intelligence services. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock demanded a fair appeal process and the suspension of the death sentence against Rico Krieger in a letter to her Belarusian counterpart in early July, as per "Spiegel" information. An execution, she wrote, would have serious consequences for the relationship between Minsk and Berlin. No response has been received yet.
The German detention in Belarus stems from political tensions, as he was accused of involvement in Wars and Conflicts, specifically fighting for the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment in Ukraine's conflict. The death penalty was imposed on Rico Krieger for these alleged charges, sparking strong protests from Germany's foreign ministry.
Despite Germany's efforts to save Krieger's life and suspend the death penalty, the attack on Ukraine seems to have further complicated the diplomatic situation between Belarus and Germany, with no response yet from the Belarusian counterpart to Berlin's letter.
