He was detained in October-November 2024 in Smorgon, when about 12 people were caught up in a “purge.” Some of those detained were released, including Yuri.
Six people remained behind bars and were convicted.
former military man. He was the one named as the perpetrator of the attack on the OMON base. Pavel Kulazhenko is a former OMON fighter who is now fighting as a volunteer in Ukraine. Both are associated with the "Supra" initiative, which the Lukashenko regime has declared terrorist.
Kulazhenko and Potekhina were charged under eight articles of the Criminal Code.
The property of Kulazhenko and Potehin, worth a total of approximately 240 thousand rubles, has been seized.
On December 23, 2024, the Minsk City Court issued a verdict in absentia. Judge Mikhail Makarevich sentenced them to 24 and 23 years in a maximum security prison colony, respectively, and a fine of 1,000 basic units (40,000 rubles) each. In addition, Potekhin was stripped of his military rank of "retired captain."
Trial outcome 23.12.2024
24 years of imprisonment in colony under enhanced security conditions, 1000 basic values fine (trial in absentia).
The 59-year-old coach was arrested in June 2024. He was initially tried on an administrative charge for "disobeying police officers," but was later charged criminally under Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. This section of the article can be used to prosecute those who participated in military operations in Ukraine, but it typically applies to those who merely intended to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to human rights activists, he was released in February 2026, having served his full sentence.
Trial outcome 06.12.2024
3 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal 21.02.2025
unknown.
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