Father and Son Kabarchuks, Convicted of "Terrorism" in Belarus, Are Also to be Tried in Ukraine
Ukrainian law enforcement officers have declared Siarhei and Pavel Kabarchuk, a father and son, wanted. In Belarus, they were sentenced to 20 years in prison each for alleged terrorism. In Ukraine, they are suspected of illegal drug production and smuggling. The court allowed the men to be detained after they were not found at their place of residence, in order to forcibly bring them to a court hearing, writes "Radio Svaboda."
In Belarus, Siarhei and Pavel Kabarchuk were detained on February 15, 2024, in the Lelchytsy district during a so-called counter-terrorism operation. At that time, the KGB announced the detention of "terrorists," and state media published a video in which Pavel appeared beaten. The men were transported to the KGB pre-trial detention center by helicopter.
Later, the Ukrainians were sentenced under four articles of the Criminal Code as alleged "SBU saboteurs." Their imprisonment is set to end in 2043. 63-year-old Siarhei Kabarchuk was diagnosed with an oncological disease in the pre-trial detention center. He is serving his sentence in Shklov Colony No. 17, while his son Pavel is in Mogilev Prison No. 4.
According to a source from "Radio Svaboda," the father and son illegally crossed the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, trying to escape criminal prosecution in Ukraine. Under the articles they are charged with, they face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
A criminal case against the Kabarchuks was initiated on December 27, 2022, and its consideration was scheduled for February 21, 2024. Since the men did not appear in court, a decision was made to compel their presence, however, bailiffs did not find them at their place of residence.
Later, the wife and mother of Siarhei and Pavel recognized them in a KGB video, which was distributed, among other places, on the Telegram channel "Belaruski Hajun." Based on her statement, on February 17, the men were declared missing. By that time, they had already been in the KGB pre-trial detention center in Belarus for two days. Human rights activists recognized the Kabarchuks as political prisoners.
In Ukraine, the father and son were detained on December 27, 2022, in a forest area near the village of Selezivka, Korosten district, Zhytomyr region, not far from the Belarusian border. Border guards found them along with other people near a car. Inside the car were two bags and a backpack containing 68 packages of a substance resembling drugs. Forensic examination confirmed that these were narcotic substances. The total dry weight amounted to 44.6 kilograms. According to investigative materials, the detainees were trying to smuggle the cargo into Belarus.
In early February 2023, investigators, after studying phone conversations, identified other suspects, established connections between them, and determined their routes of movement in the border zone.
In August 2023, the court found the accusation substantiated and began to consider the case on its merits. The suspects admitted guilt only partially, but the extent is unknown. It is believed that the Kabarchuks were held in custody until November 2023, after which they were released on financial bail. Ultimately, the father and son fled.
The Kabarchuks live in the town of Stara Vyzhivka, Kovel district, Volyn region. In July 2026, a Ukrainian court allowed their detention for compulsory appearance at a hearing where the issue of taking the men into custody is to be reconsidered.
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