What is known about the hockey referee detained on suspicion of murdering a pregnant Minsk resident
43-year-old Minsk resident Tatsiana Martsishchanka, who was pregnant, was likely killed by the father of her unborn child. He transported the woman's body in a travel bag and buried it outside the city. "Tribuna" named the detainee — 38-year-old hockey referee Aliaksei Haurylyonak. What is known about him?
Aliaksei Haurylyonak
Haurylyonak was indeed a professional hockey player, but in the past, "Tribuna" reports. He played until he was 28, operating as a defenseman, and quite aggressively — in two seasons, his penalty minutes exceeded one hundred.
His career was spent in the Extraleague — Minsk "Dinamo," "Keramin," and "Brest." His main achievement was the Belarus Cup in the 2006/07 season with Dinamo. However, Haurylyonak played only one game in that tournament.
Haurylyonak could have played on the same team as Dzmitry Baskau. Haurylyonak played for "Brest" from 2008 to 2015, and Baskau returned there for the 2008/2009 season.
Murdered Tatsiana Martsishchanka. Photo: Instagram
Haurylyonak also played for Belarus's junior national teams. As part of the U-20 team, he participated in the 2007 World Championship. He played six matches there with a +/- rating of "-2." As a result of the tournament, Belarus left the elite division.
In July 2015, Haurylyonak terminated his contract with "Brest" by mutual agreement and no longer played professionally. However, he didn't quit hockey — he became an arbiter. Haurylyonak mainly officiated matches in the Belarusian championship. He didn't get involved in refereeing scandals, and there was no public criticism from judges or players towards him.
He officiated his most serious career match in March 2019. He was then assigned as the second main referee alongside Uladzimir Nalivaika for the second game of the playoff semi-final series between "Neman" and "Shakhter" (2:5).
He didn't get a chance to work in the Extraleague-2026/27 — the tournament started on September 9, the day after the murder. But he did officiate the Country Cup this summer. On August 10, in Baranavichy, he refereed a match between the local "Aviator" and "Shakhter" — this is his last senior game he worked on so far.
Haurylyonak worked as a referee in matches where Lukashenka's team played. The last time he crossed paths with them was on February 14 this year — a 5:5 draw with the Minsk Region national team, without Lukashenka's personal participation.
The ex-hockey player's father, Aliaksandr Haurylyonak, is a well-known former goalkeeper. He defended the net for Minsk "Dinamo" and "Tivoli," winning the Belarusian championship gold four times. He has 17 matches for the Belarus national team, where he competed with Andrei Mezin, Aliaksandr Shumidub, and Leanid Fatsikau. He played two games at the 1998 World Championship.
After finishing his playing career after the 2002/03 season, Haurylyonak Sr. became a coach. He worked in the system of Minsk "Dinamo," Belarus's junior national teams, and the Estonian national team. From 2009 to 2015, he headed "Brest," where his sons Aliaksei and Mikalai played defense. The former ended his career precisely with this team when his father left his position.
Last season, Aliaksandr Haurylyonak coached the youth teams of "Pinsk Yastreby" (Pinsk Hawks). His eldest son — Mikalai — played defense for Minsk "Dinamo" (winning Extraleague silver in 2006) and "Neman" before "Brest." He ended his career in Zhlobin.
The murder of the woman became known on September 11. She had been missing since September 8. The report of Tatsiana Martsishchanka's disappearance was received by the police from her daughter two days after the murder. The suspect was detained within 24 hours. A criminal case has been opened against him.
Tatsiana Martsishchanka. Photo: Instagram