Valery was arrested in the fall of 2024 as part of a criminal case under the article "creation of an extremist group or participation in one" and in the summer of 2025 was sentenced to imprisonment and a large fine.
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 10.07.2025
2 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions, 500 basic values fine.
Михаил — доцент, кандидат технических наук, автор монографий и разработок, первым в Беларуси зарегистрировал автомобиль на альтернативном топливе. Руководил лабораторией в Витебском технологическом университете, занимавшейся водородными технологиями.
В 2006 году интерес к его работе проявил КГБ. После отказа сотрудничать с органами Михаила обвинили в «хищении через злоупотребление служебными полномочиями» и в 2007 году приговорили к 5 годам колонии.
После освобождения он занялся правозащитной деятельностью: вошёл в организацию «Платформа», позже стал сооснователем «Платформы Инновейшн». Повторно был задержан в августе 2014 года, через неделю после оглашения приговора в отношении директора ЧКПУ «Платформа Инновейшн» Андрея Бондаренко. В 2015 году Витебский областной суд признал его виновным по нескольким статьям — разглашение служебной тайны, незаконные средства для сбора информации, дача взятки — и приговорил к лишению свободы в условиях строгого режима. В октябре того же года Верховный суд усилил наказание на полгода.
Освобождён в феврале 2021 года, полностью отбыв назначенный судом срок наказания.
23 января 2024 года Михаила вновь задержали, при обыске и допросах к нему применяли насилие. После выхода из изолятора он покинул Беларусь.
Trial outcome 10.07.2015
6 years of imprisonment in colony in strict regime conditions, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.
Appeal 23.10.2015
6 years 6 months of imprisonment in colony in strict regime conditions, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.
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