Man shot, gets 16 years in prison for protesting Russian assault on Ukraine

December 22, BPN. The Minsk Regional Court has sentenced Vital Mielnik to 16 years in a high-security prison for an alleged act of sabotage carried out in protest against Russia’s assault on Ukraine, Dissidentby reported.

Judge Anžalika Daniłava has also fined him 9,600 rubels (about $3,565). The trial was held behind closed doors.

Authorities charged Mielnik with terrorism, insulting Alaksandr Łukašenka, and illegal purchase and possession of firearms. Prosecutors said that he created risks of accidents and endangered people’s lives by damaging a railway relay cabinet between Navasady and Barysaŭ, Minsk region, in March 2022.

Police allegedly found unregistered pistols in his car and home. Prosecutors also confirmed that police officers had shot and wounded the suspect in the legs during his arrest.

Mielnik is married and has a baby.

Sabotage on the Belarusian railway started after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 as a form of antiwar protest. Railway relay cabinets were damaged in several locations throughout Belarus. The goal was to slow the transportation of Russian military equipment through Belarus to the warzone.