A physicist from the Academy of Sciences moved to Poland to work. During a visit to Belarus, he was arrested for political activism and sent to prison.
Pavel Shpak holds a Candidate of Sciences degree in Physics and Mathematics. Two years ago, he found a job in Poland and obtained a work permit, but he occasionally traveled back home. During one of these trips, he was detained.
Pavel Shpak is 40 years old. He is a physicist. In 2007, Pavel graduated with a master's degree in Laser Physics from the Belarusian State University, and later completed postgraduate studies. In 2017, he received a Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics.
For almost 16 years (from 2007 to 2023), the man worked at the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, progressing from junior researcher to researcher. His scientific portfolio includes 33 publications and participation in the development of laser systems, optoelectronics, and research on Raman scattering of light.
In May 2023, Pavel drastically changed his life: he moved to Warsaw and transitioned to the private sector. Recently, he worked as a project development manager at OEM Tech LLC, a company specializing in laser technologies. On social media, he wrote that he lives in Poland, received a work permit, and is learning Polish. But he periodically went home.
He was last active on social media about eight months ago. He was detained during another return to Belarus.
It became known that Pavel was convicted in the Minsk City Court. He was found guilty under two articles of the Criminal Code: "organization and preparation of actions grossly violating public order" (Part 1 of Article 342) and "incitement of hatred" (Part 1 of Article 130).
The verdict came into force at the end of November 2025. Details of the case and the sentence are unknown. Pavel faced up to five years in prison. He remains behind bars at the moment.
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