The Vyasna rights group said on June 6 that German citizen Rico Krieger went on trial in Belarus on charges of being a mercenary, terrorism, creating an extremist group, intentionally damaging a vehicle, and illegal operations with firearms, ammunition, and explosives. The details of the case remain unknown. The German Embassy in Minsk confirmed to RFE/RL that a German citizen is on trial at the Minsk regional court but gave no further details. If found guilty, Krieger faces up to 25 years in prison. This is the first mercenary case tried in Belarus. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
German National Goes On Trial In Belarus On Mercenary Charge
The suspect is on trial at the Minsk Regional Court. (file photo)