New Head of the Constitutional Court Sent Son to Study as a Spy at GRU Academy. But When the War Began, He Quickly Took Him Back from Russia

Sergei Sivets was born in 1973 in Minsk into the family of an employee of the Belarusian-Polish enterprise "Bochemin," which dealt with fire protection systems, and the head of a BSU laboratory. According to "Belpola," Sergei's father was convicted in 1992 for theft of state property. He served time in Mogilev Colony No. 15, released in 1997 under amnesty.

Sergei Sivets himself worked for a long time at BSU, then headed the Institute of Legal Research of the National Center for Legislation and Legal Research. He was brought into the Council of the Republic as a jurisprudence specialist. Initially, Sivets chaired the commission on legislation and state building. Notably, in the next convocation, this commission was given to agrarian Rusiy, while Sivets began to head a commission not very specialized for him, on education, science, culture, and social development. He is also a member of the presidium of the "Belaya Rus" party.

Wife — in the Council of the Republic, Son — in the GRU Academy

Sivets's wife, Olga Ivashchanka, continues to work in the Council of the Republic. And his son, Aliaksandr, a graduate of Minsk Gymnasium No. 174, with his father's consent, went to study in Moscow at the GRU Academy, where military intelligence officers are trained.

They don't just take anyone there (especially not non-Russian citizens); they only invite people. It is said that Sivets Sr. worked hard to get his son invited to the academy.

Павялічыць

Sergei Sivets's position is described as being for Belarus's sovereignty, but with Russia's guarantees. And sending his son to Moscow is considered a logical step for him.

Other sources note that with the onset of the war, Sivets Sr. quickly evacuated his son home, fearing that he would be sent to war during mobilization.

To be safe, Aliaksandr — who was recently being trained as a military intelligence officer — was given a certificate at home stating his unsuitability for military service.

Павялічыць

"He is Not Loyal to Lukashenka, He Plays for Himself"

Upon Sivets's appointment, Lukashenka emphasized his loyalty in 2020:

"What's there to hide: 2020 is an indicator. How one went through that stage says a lot. Here, too, there are absolutely no complaints against you."

In 2020, it was Sivets who took the initiative and proposed fining 135 rubles for each white-red-white flag. This was still late September, when active protests were ongoing.

Unconditional loyalty to the authorities has since become the main guideline for employment in today's Belarus. An acquaintance of the new Head of the Constitutional Court says that in 2020, Sivets was confident that the security forces were maximally prepared for protests and would defend the regime under any scenarios.

However, his wife was somewhat alarmed by people's moods during COVID — the family admitted that the fight against the virus was not going well, and they allowed that this could anger the people. No one believed in the mass participation in opposition-called actions.

Some call the Sivets couple "a pair of grey cardinals of Lukashenka's vertical."

Sivets is considered more of a careerist than someone devoted to Lukashenka's ideology.

"Sivets is a pragmatic product of the system who wants to reach the very top. He is not loyal to Lukashenka; he plays for himself."

Currently, Sivets is responsible for the Constitutional Court — he must verify how Belarusian legislation, particularly the decrees of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, comply with the Constitution.

His predecessor, Piotr Miklashevich, held the position since 2008 and was not remembered for anything at all, never once questioning Lukashenka's actions.

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