German sentenced to death in Belarus’ first mercenarism trial

July 19, Pozirk. The Minsk Regional Court sentenced Rico Krieger, a 30-year-old German national, to death, the Viasna Human Rights Center has confirmed.

Earlier today, media reported that the sentence was issued on June 24.

According to Viasna, the case involved the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment (KKR), a Belarusian volunteer unit fighting alongside Ukrainian troops.

However, the regiment has not confirmed having any link to the defendant. It is unclear if the guilty verdict has taken effect.

The Minsk Regional Court considered Krieger’s case since June 6.

Investigators accused him of spying, terrorism, mercenarism and other serious crimes.

It could be the first mercenarism trial in Belarus, human rights activists said in early June.

The crime is punishable by imprisonment of 10 to 25 years, with or without a fine, by life imprisonment, or by the death penalty.

According to human rights activists, Krieger was born in the German capital and has a minor son.

He is said to have worked as a rescue medic for the German Red Cross and a security officer for the US Embassy in Berlin. He also worked as a paramedic.