Владислав Надейко.
The trial of Belarusian citizen Uladzislau Nadzieika, which was due to begin at the District Court in Białystok on September 16, has been postponed until December because the defendant failed to appear in court. The Polish side handed Nadzieika over to Belarus as part of a 5-for-5 exchange in April 2026, during which Andrzej Poczobut was released, Polish outlet WPolityce reported.
On September 16, Nadzieika was due to hear the indictment. According to the court’s website, he is charged with espionage under Article 130 § 1 and Article 65 § 1 of the Polish Criminal Code, allegedly committed between April 2022 and September 8, 2025, in Białystok and elsewhere. Nadzieika’s activities were directed against Poland in the interests of a foreign intelligence service, “while making the commission of crimes a permanent source of income.”
The prosecution argued that the trial could begin without the defendant because during questioning he agreed to have the case heard in his absence and provided an email address as a means of contact. A summons was also sent to the Belarusian Embassy in Poland.
The court ruled that, in a case involving a serious offense, the defendant’s presence when the indictment is read out is mandatory unless he has been properly notified. According to the judge, the court had no signed confirmation from the defendant that he had received the summons, so notification by email was insufficient.
The court intends to send the summons again through the Belarusian Embassy, asking that it be delivered to the defendant personally. In addition, the Polish side will apply to a court in Belarus under the legal assistance mechanism.
The prosecution will seek to have the defendant’s testimony heard behind closed doors. According to the prosecutor, this is related to another proceeding whose materials are not public.
The prosecutor also explained that the defendant’s activities were mainly directed against Belarusian opposition activists in Poland. Some of the people Nadzieika was interested in are expected to testify for the prosecution.
Nadzieika’s lawyer said he last saw his client in April 2026, before the exchange. Nadzieika gave testimony in the case and undertook to appear when required. The lawyer does not know where his client is now and is not in contact with him. The lawyer also declined to disclose details of the case, citing its confidential nature.
Uladzislau Nadzieika was detained by officers of Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) on September 8, 2025. It is known that he was a member of the Białystok banner of the Paspalitaha Ruchennia.