German National Sentenced to Death in Belarus Seeks Pardon Amid Prisoner Swap Talks

Rico Krieger, a German national sentenced to death in Belarus on terrorism charges, has requested an official pardon. This comes amid Russia's negotiations with the West over a potential prisoner exchange. Krieger claims he was coerced by Ukraine's security service to commit crimes in Belarus.

Rico Krieger, a German national sentenced to death in Belarus on terrorism charges, has formally requested an official pardon, according to Pul Pervogo, a Telegram channel closely associated with President Alexander Lukashenko. This development coincides with Russia's ongoing talks with Western nations about a possible prisoner exchange, including U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was convicted of espionage by a Russian court.

Among those Russia aims to free is Vadim Krasikov, a Russian serving a life sentence in Germany for murder, a move that would necessitate a reciprocal exchange from Berlin. Germany’s foreign ministry confirmed earlier this month that a German citizen had received the death penalty in Belarus, Russia's ally in using its territory for military actions during the Ukraine conflict. Belarus remains the only European nation still enforcing the death penalty.

In an interview with Belarus-1 state TV, Krieger claimed he was instructed by Ukraine's SBU security service to photograph military sites and plant explosives on a train line in Belarus. Though the explosives detonated, they caused no injuries. Lukashenko stated that he would have the final say on Krieger’s case and has invited involved parties for consultations.