Special Proceedings Launched Against Five Belarusian Volunteers

Reform.news · 1 October 2026, 19:55

https://reform.news/en/special-proceedings-launched-against-five-belarusian-volunteers/

The Belarusian Investigative Committee has launched special proceedings against five Belarusian volunteers. They are Aliaksandr Butko, Artsiom Voinich, Aliaksandr Hryb (Hryhoryeu), Aleh Kalush and Yauhen Listapad.

They face charges under several articles of the Criminal Code, including participation in a criminal organization and a terrorist organization, conspiracy to seize power, participation in an extremist formation, and participation in an armed formation on the territory of a foreign state.

The charges also include recruitment or other forms of assistance to extremist activities, committing an act of terrorism, and facilitating terrorist activities.

As the Viasna Human Rights Center notes, all five are associated with the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a Belarusian volunteer military formation established in Ukraine in March 2022 following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.