Andrey, a sole proprietor, was detained on April 23, 2021, while attempting to fly to Moscow. It was then that he learned of a criminal case against him for "insulting a government official."
In August 2021, Andrei was accused of insulting OMON commander Warrant Officer Kovalchuk for a comment he left in the "Punishermen of Belarus" Telegram chat and sentenced to restricted freedom and placement in an open correctional facility.
He was released in January 2023, having fully served his sentence as imposed by the court.
