The Prosecutor General’s Office has released a statement outlining the sentences handed down to former Kalinouski Regiment fighters Vasil Verameichyk and Vasil Hrachykha.
The statement confirms the prison term issued to Verameichyk. Earlier reports said he had been sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony.
The Prosecutor General’s Office also listed the charges brought against Verameichyk. In addition to participation in the “extremist formation” Polk Imia Kastusia Kalinouskaha and involvement in an armed conflict without state authorization, he was accused of taking part in a conspiracy to seize state power by unconstitutional means, as well as “facilitating extremist activity,” and participating in the “extremist formations” Coordination Council (third convocation) and the Prakopieu – Yahorau Block. Other charges included threats and insults directed at law enforcement officers, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and judges.
According to the statement, Verameichyk “actively assisted in identifying those involved in the activities of the criminal organization as part of the conditions of a pretrial cooperation agreement.”
“The same verdict also sentenced Hrechykha to imprisonment for participating in an armed conflict without authorization from the state of his citizenship as part of the named criminal organization (extremist formation),” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The statement does not specify Hrachykha’s term. Earlier, human rights defenders reported that he had been sentenced to five years in prison.
The verdict against both former fighters has not yet entered into legal force and may be appealed or protested.