Aliaksandr Syrytsa
Prisoner
Date of detention: 12 January 2024
Charges indicted:
- Art. 368 of the Criminal Code — Insulting the President of the Republic of Belarus
- Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it
Groups: Athletes
Aliaksandr Syrytsa is a well-known basketball referee. He was arrested for creating a basketball chat room.
He was arrested upon his return to Belarus in January 2024. He is currently in pre-trial detention. He is charged with "insulting Lukashenka" and "creating an extremist formation" under Articles 361-1 and 368 of the Criminal Code.
On January 16, the KGB recognized the fund "Fund of Belarus Friend LTD" as an "extremist formation" - then it was reported that a Belarusian citizen Aliaksandr Syrytsa was associated with it.
Aliaksandr Syrytsa was one of the best basketball referees in Belarus for many years. He was a FIBA referee since 2005. In 2019, together with his colleagues, Syrytsa sued the basketball federation, lost and was blacklisted. He lived in Australia.
