Siarhei Sakalou

sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment

Prisoner

Date of birth: 24 February 1976

Date of detention: 20 August 2021

Charges indicted:

  • Art. 295 of the Criminal Code — Unlawful acts against firearms, ammunition and explosives
  • Art. 357 of the Criminal Code — Conspiracy to seize power in an unconstitutional way
  • Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code — Creation of an extremist formation, or participation in it
  • Art. 289 of the Criminal Code — An act of terrorism
  • Art. 333-1 of the Criminal Code — Illegal cross-border transportation of poisonous, poisonous substances, radioactive materials, weapons, military equipment

Sentence: 14 years

Penalty: imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony

Judge: Siarhei Khrypach

Prison: Penal colony No. 15

Cases: Gaidukevich case

Notes: Retirement age

Groups: The military

On the list of “terrorists” (Money transfers are prohibited)

Siarhei Sakalou is a military pensioner from Lida, Hrodna region. He was suspected of preparing an assassination attempt on Aleh Haidukevich, a pro-government parliament member, and other public officials, as well as of illegal importation and storage of weapons allegedly for preparing terrorist acts.

On June 21, 2023, the Minsk City Court announced the verdict. There were 18 defendants in the case, 15 of whom were in custody, and three were convicted in absentia. The trial lasted for four and a half months. Judge Siarhei Khrypach sentenced Siarhei Sakalou to 14 years of imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony and 700 base fines (22,400 Belarusian rubles or approx. $7,360) and deprived him of his military rank.

17 more political prisoners were convicted in the case: Vadzim PrakopyeuIhar Chamiakin, Dzianis Khamitsevich, Siarhei Lisouski, Piotr Yurkevich, Pavel Chykhinski, Dzianis Filonchyk, Vital Vaitsiakhovich, Anastasiya Vaitsiakhovich, Volha Vaitsiakhovich, Uladzislau Vaitsiakhovich, Uladzimir Saviankou, Dzmitryi Neviarkevich, Volha Piatukh, Mikalai Roi, Eduard Piastrak, and Aliaksei Mikhailau.

Mail address: Penal colony No. 15. 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183

Addresses of prisons:

What should I know and how to help?

✉️ Write a letter. Make a scan of your letter or postcard and share it online

🤝 Please use the Russian (or Belarusian) name of the prison

💡 Foreign-language messages may be blocked, so attach a translation (e.g. translate.google.com)

💡 A big guide about helping Belarusian political prisoners from abroad

💡 More tips here

Support “Viasna”