Singer from «Unity Marathon» convicted for politics — 2020 comments recalled. The Gruzdevy sisters defended him in court.
The irony of fate is that last year singer Raman Yurkou received a letter of gratitude from Lukashenka for supporting his candidacy in the last elections. Just a month later, the artist was detained by security forces — because comments he had written in 2020 were found.
The Gruzdevy sisters spoke about Yurkou on social media.
The artists previously wrote about Raman Yurkou with warmth. They said that after 2020 it was difficult for them to find a studio where they could record their songs.
Reportedly, people, when they heard that those same «yabatki»-Gruzdevy were calling, simply hung up.
And so, in 2022, the singers met Raman, with whom they not only started working but also became friends. He became the Gruzdevy sisters' arranger.
The Gruzdevy sisters sometimes quarreled with Raman over professional issues. But they claim that they talked a lot with the artist on various topics and their views on life always coincided: «In 2023, we touched upon the topic of war. «And if, God forbid, something happens to us, what will you do?» — we asked. — «Will you go abroad?» And Roma answered, looking us long in the eyes: «I will go to defend my country with a rifle, that is my duty, as every man's.»
By the way, the singer's career was on the rise. He appeared on BT's «Factor.by» show, went to Moscow for Andrei Malakhov's show, and actively performed at various pro-government events. On social media, Raman boasted diplomas from the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade and from «Belaya Rus».
At the end of 2024, Raman participated in the final concert of the «Unity Marathon» at «Minsk-Arena».
Last January, Yurkou received a letter from Lukashenka — he thanked him for supporting his candidacy in the last elections.
It seemed that only appearances on state television shows and tours of propaganda events awaited him. But something didn't go according to plan.
On social media, the Gruzdevy sisters said (without naming Raman) that they met him on March 18, 2025. They say they talked a lot that day, and he showed them a thank you letter from Lukashenka.
— You know, he was so inspired, talking about his plans… But he mentions that in 2020 he had some comments…
The next day after the conversation with the Gruzdevy sisters, security forces came to Raman's home and detained him for those very comments. Raman was charged under Article 130 of the Criminal Code («Inciting hatred»).
The Gruzdevy sisters began fighting for their friend. Raman was tried in September 2025 at the Minsk City Court. There were several sessions, Valentina and Alexandra attended them — bringing with them a photograph of Wolf Messing and an icon for help.
— In court, we spoke very emotionally. We said that, yes, there were comments, but now we have talked to this person and we know that he is completely for the country, he is ours, he proves it with his actions. And that if necessary, if he faces a sentence, we are ready to record a video appeal to Alexander Lukashenka and ask him for a pardon.
Ultimately, Yurkou was sentenced to house arrest with forced labor. In November 2025, when the verdict became legally effective, the KGB included the singer on the list of terrorists.
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