Special proceedings were initiated against the creators and participants of BYPOL. They will be tried in absentia
On September 8, the Investigative Committee initiated special proceedings against representatives and ex-participants of the organization BYPOL with its structural divisions: Situational-Analytical Center and Victory Mobilization Plan. Six former security officers are going to be tried in absentia: Andrei Astapovich, Aliaksandr Azarau, Aleh Talerchyk, Uladzimir Zhyhar, Matsvei Kupreichyk, and Ihar Loban.
They are accused under a number of articles of the Criminal Code:
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Aliaksandr Azarau — Part 3 of Article 130 (incitement of other social hatered), Article 188 (slander), Part 4 of Article 16 and Part 3 of Article 289 (organization of an act of terrorism), Part 4 of Article 16, Article 18 and Part 2 and 4 of Article 309 (organization of intentional disrepair of a vehicle or communication lines), Part 1 of Article 356 (treason to the state), Part 1 of Article 357 (conspiracy or other actions committed to seize or retain state power unconstitutionally), Part 3 of Article 361 (calls for sanctions), Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-1 (creation of an extremist formation), Part 2 of Article 368 (insulting Lukashenka), Article 369 (insulting a representative of the authorities);
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Uladzimir Zhygar, Matsvei Kupreichyk, Ihar Loban and Andrei Astapovich, Aleh Talerchyk — Part 3 of Article 130 (inciting other social hatered), Part 1 of Article 357 (conspiracy or other actions committed to seize or retain state power unconstitutionally), Parts 1 and 2 of Article 361-1 (creation of an extremist formation).
Matsvei Kupreichyk is also charged under Article 369 (insulting a representative of the authorities), and Aleh Tarelchyk is also charged under Part 3 of Article 203-1 (illegal actions with respect to information about private life and personal data), Part 3 of Article 361 (calls for sanctions), Part 1 of Article 361-4 (promotion of extremist activity), Part 2 of Article 367 (slander on Lukashenka).
On November 8, 2021, the Victory Mobilization Plan was also recognized as an "extremist formation". On August 31, 2022, the Supreme Court recognized BYPOL with its structural units Situational Analytical Center and Victory Mobilization Plan as a terrorist organization. This happened according to the statement of the Prosecutor General Andrei Shved.
Recall that on April 28 of this year, a former officer of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and corruption Stanislau Lupanosau was convicted in absentia to 18 years in a penal colony. He was charged under three articles of the Criminal Code: Part 1 of Article 356 (treason to the state), Article 352 (unlawful possession of computer information), Part 3 of Article 426 (abuse of power or official authority). The trial lasted three weeks behind closed doors. Stanislau is a lieutenant colonel of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and corruption, during his service he collaborated with BYPOL.
