Political prisoner Siarhei Sandaliuk released — he was previously one of Belarus's top prison officials
He and his wife Anzhela each served a year and a half for participating in the 2020 protests.
Siarhei Sandaliuk (right). Lukashenka's decree stripped him of his colonel rank
55-year-old Siarhei Sandaliuk and 52-year-old Anzhela Sandaliuk, a married couple of political prisoners, have been released. They were sentenced to two years in a penal colony each for participating in protests. They fully served their appointed terms, which, considering the time spent in pre-trial detention, amounted to approximately one and a half years of imprisonment for each.
Siarhei Sandaliuk was one of Belarus's highest-ranking prison officials. Born in Mozyr, he served for a long time in military unit 7404 in Baranavichy and military unit 6713 in Mahiliou. In 2013, he became deputy head of the Department of Penal Enforcement. In this role, he was responsible for ideological work and personnel management.
In late 2018, Sandaliuk resigned following an unclear scandal. In 2019, he registered as an individual entrepreneur (IP), renting out accommodation.
Siarhei and Anzhela were arrested in May 2024 for participating in protests. The exact legal procedure is unclear, but they were tried in two stages—it's possible the case was sent back for revision. In February 2025, they were finally convicted and sentenced to two years in a penal colony each. He was sent to serve his term in a colony in Vitebsk, and she to Homel. They have fully served their sentences.
Several months ago, in March 2026, Siarhei Sandaliuk filed documents to liquidate his individual entrepreneurship.
Tsapkala and Balkunets attacked a Lithuanian politician who helped Belarusians after 2020 and contributed to the case opened by the prosecutor in The Hague 36
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