In Kharkiv, court extended the detention of Belarusian volunteer Gerard. He explained where he got 1.4 million euros

Belarusian volunteer Aliaksandr Gerard Krasouski at a court hearing in Kharkiv, May 11, 2026. Photo: Belsat

AWOL and Ammunition

The next court hearing took place on Monday, May 11. The court considered the prosecution's request to extend the detention of Belarusian volunteer Aliaksandr Gerard Krasouski, who has been fighting for Ukraine since 2022.

The court was scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM, but the hearing lasted all day. It was initially postponed because the soldier was not brought to the courtroom on time, then rescheduled for several hours because he requested an interpreter. Afterwards, they had to wait for the second lawyer: the defenders had not been notified about the hearing at all, they weren't informed when their client would be tried, and they had to seek out the information themselves.

The Belarusian volunteer in Ukraine is currently suspected under two criminal articles — unauthorized absence from a military unit and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition. At the trial, Gerard stated that he does not admit his guilt, while the defense considers the case fabricated.

Gerard himself and his lawyers note that at this moment he does not have military status at all, as he was dismissed from the unit in November. However, he is being tried specifically as a serviceman. The defense also reminds that the volunteer lives in Ukraine on the basis of a temporary residence permit and has Belarusian citizenship, and as a foreigner, he has different rights in the army.

“The case materials include witness statements that Krasouski did not report to the military unit (after being recalled from leave by the command. — Belsat). At that time, his report for dismissal was already being considered, because as a foreigner he can terminate his contract at any moment. Even before the military unit conducted any official investigation, Krasouski was no longer a serviceman: he was dismissed. At this moment, he is no longer a serviceman.

The question then is: how could the command, which initially stated that the situation required recalling Krasouski from leave, later dismiss him?” — lawyer Bahdan Balynski wondered.

Given that many servicemen in Ukraine have gone AWOL (Unauthorized Absence from Unit) from their units or positions and are not detained for months, or even when imprisoned, are released on bail, the defense expected a milder court decision in Krasouski's case, whose AWOL, according to the prosecution, lasted only a few days before dismissal.

Also, according to the prosecution, more than 500 cartridges and three grenades were found in the rented private building of the Belarusian. Gerard noted in court that he provides housing to other servicemen, including foreigners, and that access to the yard and basement is open.

“The basement door doesn’t lock, the gate to the yard isn't locked. The found items (referring to cartridges and grenades. — Belsat) were in a bag along with the personal belongings of soldier H. (call sign not mentioned to protect personal data. — Belsat). The clothing size there is M, definitely not mine. And this serviceman confirmed that there were many servicemen in my house,” Krasouski explains.

Over Half a Million Euros

Another prominent detail in the case of Belarusian Gerard is the 680,000 euros found in the same basement. Earlier, another Belarusian volunteer, Dzianis Urbanovich, accused Krasouski of “corrupt schemes.”

Павялічыць

Trial of Belarusian volunteer Aliaksandr Gerard Krasouski in Kharkiv, May 11, 2026. Photo: Belsat

On the morning of Monday, May 11, the issue of these confiscated funds, seized during the search, was also considered — Gerard was not in the courtroom at that time.

Afterwards, while awaiting the hearing on the extension of his detention, he voiced his version. The Belarusian assures that he received the money from Western partners who help the Ukrainian army through him. According to the soldier, people donate money specifically to servicemen, fearing to fall into dubious schemes during procurement by military structures or the state, which society learns about during corruption scandals.

Indeed, many people in Ukraine donate directly to units and individual servicemen for specific needs, and they subsequently publish public reports.

The Belarusian stated that the donated amount was much larger — about 1,400,000 euros. The man assures that he has already purchased mobile barracks for the unit with part of these funds and has documentary evidence of this.

“And they decided to seize those 680,000 euros. This is simply lawlessness. There is an appellate court decision that ordered these funds to be returned to me,” Gerard said.

Investigators did not allow the journalist to speak with Aliaksandr separately and ask questions. But between hearings, he noted: after the appeal, another session took place — without the prosecutor, lawyers, or himself — at which the judge ruled to give the money to another person. The question of their fate is still being considered by Kharkiv courts.

What is known about the Belarusian's condition and detention terms?

Aliaksandr made no complaints in court about his health or the attitude of the administration and staff of the pre-trial detention center. He noted that he receives everything necessary.

The Belarusian now also has contact with his wife — he is allowed to make calls, which the investigator and prosecutor previously prohibited. Although even now the prosecution claimed that as a foreigner, he could transmit some secret information or ciphers in Belarusian during calls, and the employees who monitor conversations do not understand the language. All of this, they suggested, could pose a threat to Ukraine's national security. This was also disputed by the lawyers.

The prosecutor also believes that Krasouski, if released on bail or placed under house arrest, could transmit secret information about the deployment of troops and weapons, and logistical routes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as a person who was on the front line and commanded a unit.

It was even suggested that the information could be transmitted to Belarus and that there was allegedly a risk that Gerard himself might flee to his homeland. Although Belarusian authorities have put the soldier on a wanted list and are in absentia accusing him of "mercenarism" and threatening him with long prison sentences.

Павялічыць

Belarusian volunteer Aliaksandr Gerard Krasouski at a court hearing in Kharkiv, May 11, 2026. Photo: Belsat

What was the outcome of the trial?

During the hearing, Aliaksandr Krasouski highlighted his merits and the good results of the unit he commanded. He also noted that he is a qualified specialist who can benefit the Ukrainian army instead of sitting behind bars, as he was about to transfer to another unit and continue his service just before his detention.

“I voluntarily came to defend Ukraine, sustained injuries, and received departmental and state awards earned with blood and sweat,” Aliaksandr said in his speech. “Under my command, the detachment carried out more than 500 evacuations of armored vehicles over a year and a half. During this time, under my leadership, there was not a single AWOL, and my unit — two platoons — suffered losses of only three '300s' (wounded) and one '200' (killed in action).”

“The Russians are hunting me; my car was burned at their command. In Belarus, I was in absentia sentenced to 15 years for "mercenarism" — for fighting for Ukraine. The money my friends and partners from abroad give me, they give because they know I am a responsible person and will spend everything on the defense of Ukraine. Considering all that has been said, if I am not worthy of being released on bail, then who is? There is no direct evidence of my guilt in the case materials,” the Belarusian concluded.

Like his lawyers before him, he reminded the court about his young daughter with a disability and his wife, who is forced to both work and independently manage the rehabilitation of their sick child.

The hearing, including postponements, lasted until almost 9:00 PM, when the judge read out the decision. She sided with the prosecution — Gerard's detention was extended for 35 days. The Belarusian volunteer will remain in the pre-trial detention center until at least June 14, without the possibility of being released on bail.

“Belarus 2.0. Lawlessness,” Krasouski said before handcuffs were put on him and he was led out of the courtroom.

Lawyers filed an appeal against the decision and are also challenging the fact that they were not notified about the hearing, and that the trial of their client could have proceeded without their participation or knowledge.

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