Vladimir Arkadyevich Astapenko served as Belarus' Ambassador to Argentina until 2020. He resigned on the day of Alexander Lukashenko's inauguration, September 23, 2020, stating that he believed "in a better future for the Belarusian people." Soon after, Lukashenko signed a decree dismissing Astapenko and stripping him of his diplomatic rank "due to committing an offense incompatible with serving in the diplomatic service." Ostapenko did not agree with this wording of the reason for his dismissal and tried to change it through the court, but to no avail. Vladimir was forced to leave Belarus.
He then joined Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's team and now works in the United Transitional Cabinet. Special proceedings were initiated against the former ambassador on December 21, 2022.
Trial outcome 17.02.2023
5 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions, 500 basic values fine (trial in absentia).
Armen Arzumanyan is 44 years old. He is originally from Azerbaijan, but has lived in Belarus almost his entire life and holds Belarusian citizenship. Armen competed on "The X Factor" first in 2018 in Ukraine and then in 2021 in Belarus. However, his main business is selling gifts. For over 15 years, Armen has owned gift shops, most recently Podari Minsk. In his spare time, he rescues homeless animals.
He is accused of “calling for sanctions” and “slandering Lukashenko.”
On December 4, 2025 , he was released, having fully served the sentence imposed by the court.
Trial outcome 20.12.2024
2 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Vladimir was convicted in December 2024 under the article "organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them."
It is known that Victoria was detained in October 2020 during the post-election protest, the Sunday Partisan March. In December 2024, she was convicted of "organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them."
Alexander was convicted in December 2024 under the article "organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them."
Viktor was first arrested and convicted under Part 2 of Article 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus—"dissemination, production, storage, and transportation of information products containing calls for extremist activity or promoting such activity"—in July 2024. Subsequently, a criminal case was opened against him.
In December of that year, a court hearing was held on charges of "organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in such actions." The details and circumstances of the case are unknown.
Viktor was convicted under the same article in the Moscow District Court of Minsk, likely in the summer of 2025, and sentenced to imprisonment.
On December 13, 2025, he was released following a visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, John Cole, and taken to Ukraine.
Trial outcome 18.12.2024
2 years restrictions of freedom with referral to an open-type correctional facility.
Trial outcome 26.06.2025
2 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
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