Judicial authority imposes prolonged incarcerations upon aircraft hijackers
In 2023, a Belarusian court found 12 individuals guilty of participating in a sabotage operation against a Russian military aircraft. The court in Minsk handed down sentences ranging from 2 to 25 years in prison for their involvement in the alleged "terrorist act." Only five of the convicted individuals are currently in Belarus; the remaining seven were tried in absentia.
One of the defendants tried abroad was Nikolai Shvets, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his alleged role as the mastermind of the attack. Shvets had left Belarus as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine during the summer. The charges against the defendants included terrorism, intentional interference with an aircraft, and treason, among other offenses.
In February 2023, pro-Ukrainian activists claimed responsibility for destroying a Russian military A-50 reconnaissance aircraft at the Matschulischtschi airport located near the capital Minsk. The Russian government has remained silent on the matter.
Initially, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko denied the incident, but later admitted to the attack on an A-50 aircraft. He revealed that the primary suspect was a dual citizen of Russia and Ukraine and had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence in 2014.
Although not directly involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Belarus has permitted Moscow to use its territory as a launching pad for attacks on the neighboring country since last year. Since then, there have been multiple incidents of sabotage within Belarus, particularly affecting the railway system.
The court's severe judgments against the defendants reflected the gravity of their alleged crimes, including terrorism and intentional interference with an aircraft. The international community has expressed concern over the lengthy sentences handed out, highlighting the potential for political motivations.
