Ukrainians convicted of a "sabotage for the Security Service of Ukraine": father and son sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony
On October 23, 2024, the verdict of Siarhei and Pavel Kabarchuk, father and son, was announced in the Homieĺ Regional Court. Each of them was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment in a medium security penal colony, as well as a fine of 28 thousand rubles (almost 7,900 euros) each.
Pro-government sources called them "saboteurs of the Security Service of Ukraine". They were found guilty under Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism), Part 4 of Article 295 of the Criminal Code (illegal actions related to firearms, ammunition, and explosives), Article 358-1 of the Criminal Code (agent activity), Part 3 of Article 333-1 of the Criminal Code (illegal movement of toxic substances, firearms, ammunition, explosives across the border).
The trial was handled by judge Yauhen Sharshniou.
Recall that on February 15, a "counter-terrorist operation" state was declared in the Lieĺčycy district. Later, the KGB reported the detention of "terrorists" allegedly sent by the Security Service of Ukraine to carry out terrorist attacks in Belarus and the Russian Federation. Propagandists then mentioned the names of three detainees: Ukrainians Siarhei Kabarchuk, Pavel Kabarchuk, and a resident of Brest Vital Ulasiuk.
Pro-government media say that the detainees had explosive devices and other means of destruction. Siarhei Kabarchuk, born in 1963 in Kovel district of Volyn region, nicknamed "Butler", was previously allegedly an employee of the State Border Service of Ukraine. However, after his dismissal, together with his sons Bohdan, born in 1997 and Pavel, born in 1993, he allegedly engaged in smuggling.
The KGB allegedly discovered that the explosive devices were intended to commit "terrorist attacks" on the territory of Russia and Belarus, and the infiltration of a sabotage and reconnaissance group into Belarus across the border was allegedly organized by the Security Service of Ukraine.
