Rico Krieger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994 or 1995 (age 29–30)[a] |
| Occupations |
|
| Employer | |
| Detention | |
| Country | Belarus |
| Detained | 6 October 2023 |
| Trial | 6 June 2024 |
| Charge | "mercenary activity", "agent activity", + 4 other charges |
| Released | 1 August 2024 |
| Sentence | Death |
| Time held | 9 months and 26 days |
Rico Krieger is a German citizen, most notable for his reported sabotage work inside Belarus for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, subsequent detainment, and release during the 2024 Russian prisoner exchange.
Before his detainment, Krieger worked as an rescue medic for the German Red Cross, but reportedly had a desire to aid Ukraine after witnessing Russia's aggression during their invasion of Ukraine on the news. After contacting the SBU with a desire to join the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, a Belarusian opposition military regiment, the SBU supposedly tasked Krieger with a reconnaissance and sabotage mission inside of Belarus as a prerequisite to joining, according to Belarusian authorities. On 2 October 2023, Krieger arrived in Belarus to allegedly take photos and record coordinates of military objects in the Mogilev Region. He reportedly ended his mission by detonating a bomb at the railway station in Asipovichy,[b] damaging the tracks but causing no injuries and while attempting the leave the country on 6 October, Krieger was detained at the Minsk National Airport.
His subsequent trial, which began eight months later on 6 June 2024, saw Krieger charged with six crimes: including "mercenary activity", "terrorism", and "agent activity". He was found guilty on all counts and given the death penalty through execution by firing squad, the first time this verdict had ever been given to a foreign citizen. The severity of the verdict was immediately challenged by the German government and human rights groups alike. On 25 July 2024, Krieger appeared on Belarusian state-run TV in a plea to ask Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for a pardon, a move likely done in duress for propaganda purposes. The plea brought more attention to his case internationally, and by 30 July, Krieger was pardoned by Lukashenko. Two days later, he became part of the 2024 Russian prisoner exchange as the only prisoner coming from a nation other than Russia.
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