Minsk, July 30. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has decided to pardon German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death for terrorist activities, according to a statement from the press service of the Belarusian leader. The head of state, taking into account all the circumstances, has decided to pardon the convict,” the announcement reads.
Krieger was found guilty under six articles of the Criminal Code and sentenced to capital punishment. He addressed the president of Belarus with a petition for pardon. Previously, it was reported that the Minsk regional court had found Krieger guilty of committing an act of terrorism, cooperation with the special service of a foreign state implying harm to the national security of Belarus, as well as undercover activities, mercenarism, and creation of an extremist group or participation in it. Furthermore, the convict was found guilty of the illegal possession and carrying of explosives and explosive devices by an organized group, intentional damage to transportation facilities, which could lead to the loss of human life, a crash or accident, and other serious consequences. Krieger did not appeal the court verdict; consequently, the sentence came into force.