A German who was sentenced to death in Belarus is pardoned

Belarusian President Lukashenko has pardoned a German who was executed in Belarus in June, partly for being a terrorist, spy and mercenary.

Belarus is the only country in Europe that still carries out the death penalty. The German Foreign Ministry had previously strongly opposed the conviction and called the course of events “intolerable”.

Apparently, 29-year-old Rico Krieger is now being included in a prisoner exchange, in which the US and Russia are also involved.

In Germany, the Russian Vadim Krasikov is serving a life sentence Georgian massacre in 2020. The Kremlin is eager to see Krasikov released and may have put pressure on Lukashenko to exchange Krasikov for Krieger.

Several Americans are imprisoned in Russia, including Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich. He can also be involved in such an exchange.