Father of one of the young men convicted in the 'Black Nightingales' case recorded a video address to Lukashenka
In a video posted on TikTok, a man who identifies himself as Dzmitry Aliakseevich Zhyhaliou calls the 'Black Nightingales' case fabricated, noted 'Belsat'.
Dzmitry Zhyhaliou. Screenshot from the video
Investigators with the surnames Markovich and Bublin, according to the man, used torture against the detained teenagers — beat them and pointed weapons at their heads. Through such methods, the young men were forced to testify against other defendants. The man asks for the case to be reviewed, and for the investigators who exceeded their authority to be punished.
Dzmitry Zhyhaliou is most likely the father of Siarhei Zhyhaliou, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the aforementioned case.
In spring 2024, propagandists reported the detention of seven teenagers allegedly for "cooperation with Ukrainian special services".
The teenagers allegedly united in an "anarchist cell 'Black Nightingales'" under the leadership of the National Liberation Army of Ukraine to carry out sabotage in Belarus and Russia.
Among those detained were underage students from colleges and schools in various cities of Belarus. The authorities named 16-year-old Ukrainian citizen Mariya Misiuk as the creator of the group.
Also among those detained were Trafim Barysao, Siarhei Zhyhaliou, Dzmitry Zakharoshka, Anastasiya Klimenka, and Aliaksandra Pulinovich. All teenagers were accused of an "act of terrorism" (Art. 289 of the Criminal Code). The film also showed 18-year-old Daniil Harasim, who was accused under three criminal articles, including "treason" (Art. 356 of the Criminal Code).
As a source from the human rights center "Viasna" reported, after the release of the propaganda film, it was shown in other schools as well to intimidate students.
Aliaksandra Pulinovich was then sentenced to 10 years and 3 months, Mariya Misiuk — 13 years, Dzmitry Zakharoshka — 10 years and 6 months, Trafim Barysao and Siarhei Zhyhaliou — 12 years of imprisonment each. Daniil Harasim was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony, as well as a fine of 600 basic units.
In November last year, Mariya Misiuk was released during another wave of pardons for political prisoners. There were suggestions that Aliaksandra Pulinovich might also be released during the pardon timed for this year's March 8, but no evidence of this has emerged.
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