German Rico Krieger (30) was sentenced to Belarus to death by firing squad on the basis of the indictment which, among other things, accuses him of "terrorism and mercenary activity".
Krieger was convicted under six articles of Belarusian law in a secret trial held at the end of June, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
The exact charges against him were not immediately clear, and Belarus's official news agency did not report anything on the case.
Alleged connection with fighters against Russia
The charges could be linked to the Kalinovsky regiment, a group of volunteers and Belarusian fighters fighting against Russia in the conflict in Ukraine, Viasna reported, as reported by Radio Free Europe.
The regiment was named after the Belorussian-Polish writer, journalist and lawyer Kastusj Kalinowski, who was executed in 1864 for organizing a rebellion against Russia.
According to information on Krieger's LinkedIn profile, he worked as a rescuer specializing in emergency medicine for the German Red Cross, but also as a security guard for the United States Embassy in Berlin.
For the first time in history
The trial against Krieger was the first trial in which someone was tried for mercenary activity in Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
According to the organization's announcement, Krieger's alleged crimes include being a foreign mercenary and engaging in espionage, terrorism, creating an extremist group, and planning illegal operations involving firearms and explosives, writes the BBC.
Krieger has been in custody since November 2023, with parts of the trial taking place behind closed doors.
Viasna Human Rights Center adds that it is not certain whether Krieger has appealed the verdict, or whether it has come into effect.
Germany's reaction
In a short statement, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that one of the German citizens was sentenced to death in Minsk, but that ministry did not directly name Krieger.
The British Foreign Office and embassy in Minsk are said to be providing consular protection to the death row man and are working intensively with the Belarusian authorities on his behalf.
It was pointed out that Germany considers the death penalty "a cruel and inhumane form of punishment".
"We are working around the world to abolish it," the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Belarus is the only European country that allows the death penalty, which is reserved for serious crimes, including terrorism and treason.
Source: Radio Free Europe, BBC
