Александр Аранович. Фото: spring96.org
Aliaksandr Aranovich, 43, the driver of the motorhome used by Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s YouTube channel “A Country for Life,” has been released from prison, Nasha Niva reports. According to the publication, he was freed in May after serving nearly six years in detention and completing his full sentence.
Aranovich was detained in Hrodna on May 29, 2020, during a signature-collection picket in support of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s presidential campaign. During the same incident, Siarhei Tsikhanouski and at least 15 other people were detained following what supporters described as a provocation. Initially, a criminal case was opened under Article 364 of the Criminal Code for violence against police officers. After 10 days, while being held at Minsk Detention Centre No. 1, seven participants in the event, including Aranovich, were charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code.
In April 2021, the Leninsky District Court of Hrodna sentenced him to six years in prison for “organising actions that grossly violated public order” and “preparing to participate in mass riots.” The only evidence cited for the latter charge was an old smoke grenade allegedly found in the attic of his parents’ home in Staryya Darohi during a third search of the property. During the investigation and trial, Aranovich refused to testify and did not admit guilt.
While serving his sentence, an additional six months were added for “disobedience.”
A native of Staryya Darohi who worked in freight transportation until 2015, Aranovich joined Tsikhanouski’s team in the spring of 2020 and took the wheel of the motorhome used by the bloggers as they travelled across the country.