German citizen on Belarus death row, foreign ministry says

20/7/2024 7:28

        Germany's foreign ministry said on Friday that a German national had been sentenced to death in Belarus, and that Berlin is in intensive contact with
        authorities in Minsk over his fate.
        
        Belarus, a close ally of Russia, is the only country in Europe that still applies the death penalty.
        
        The German ministry did not name its national but earlier on Friday, Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna said that a German national it named as Rico Krieger had been sentenced to death in Belarus on charges related to terrorism and mercenary activity, citing unnamed sources.
        
        In a statement published on its website, Viasna said that Krieger had been in custody since November 2023 and was convicted on June 24.
        
        The German ministry statement said: "The Foreign Office and the embassy in Minsk are giving the person in question consular support and are working intensively with Belarusian authorities on his behalf."