Former political prisonersForced displacement

Kiryl Vasilyevich Balakhonau

Dissidentby since
Viasna since

According to pro-government Telegram channels, Kirill and three other guys "have been administering four TikTok accounts and two Telegram channels since 2020. The said resources published information aimed at organizing and preparing mass riots, resisting law enforcement officers with the aim of encroaching on the independence, territorial integrity, and foundations of the constitutional order of the Republic of Belarus. The guys united in a Telegram group, which was recognized as an extremist group in early November." They allegedly "had to find perpetrators to destroy infrastructure facilities and organize attacks on law enforcement officers."

On June 21, 2025, Kirill was released after a visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, Keith Kellogg, and was immediately taken to Lithuania.

Sentences

Trial outcome 07.07.2023
3 years 6 months of imprisonment in colony under enhanced security conditions.
Appeal 19.09.2023
the sentence was upheld.

Involved in repression

Elena Valerievna Bachishche
Elena Valerievna Bachishche
Judges18 october 2026
Place:
Minsk Regional Court
Type:
Court of First Instance
Date:
07.07.2023
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Alexander Grigorievich Savchuk
Alexander Grigorievich Savchuk
Judges21 july 1981
Place:
Supreme Court
Type:
Appeal
Date:
19.09.2023
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Andrey Mikhailovich Cedric
Andrey Mikhailovich Cedric
Overseers20 april 1978
Place:
SIZO-1
Type:
Head of the correctional facility
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Ruslan Hikmetovich Mashadiev
Ruslan Hikmetovich Mashadiev
Overseers26 september 1981
Place:
IK-1
Type:
Head of the correctional facility
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Co-defendants

Kiryl Vasilyevich Balakhonau
In custody:
Case categories:
SBNS case
Hometown:
Buda-Koshelevo
Birthday:
25.12.2003
Was held in:
IK No. 1, 211445, Novopolotsk, st. Technical, 8
Articles:
Marks:

Timeline

  1. 2022
  2. ~08.11.2022

    Transfer

    SIZO-1 — In custody

  3. 2023
  4. 07.07.2023

    Trial outcome 07.07.2023

    3 years 6 months of imprisonment in colony under enhanced security conditions, Minsk Regional Court

  5. 19.09.2023

    Appeal 19.09.2023

    the sentence was upheld, Supreme Court

  6. ~12.10.2023

    Transfer

    IK-1 — In custody

  7. 2025
  8. 21.06.2025

    Status change

    Forced displacement