Rico Krieger

Rico Krieger is a German citizen most notable for his reported sabotage work inside Belarus for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, subsequent detainment, and release during the 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange.

Before his detainment, Krieger worked as a rescue medic for the German Red Cross but reportedly had a desire to aid Ukraine after witnessing Russia's aggression during their invasion of the nation on the news. After contacting the SBU with a desire to join the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, a Belarusian opposition military regiment, the SBU supposedly tasked Krieger with a reconnaissance and sabotage mission inside of Belarus as a prerequisite to joining, according to Belarusian authorities. On 2 October 2023, Krieger arrived in Belarus to take photos and record coordinates of military objects in the Mogilev Region. He ended his mission by placing a backpack filled with explosives on the railway station in Asipovichy, which after detonating, damaged the tracks but caused no injuries. While attempting to leave the country on 6 October, Krieger was detained at Minsk National Airport.

His subsequent trial, which began eight months later on 6 June 2024, saw Krieger charged with six crimes: including "mercenary activity", "terrorism", and "agent activity". He was found guilty on all counts and given the death penalty through execution by firing squad, the first time this verdict had ever been given to a foreign citizen. Its severity was immediately challenged by the German government and human rights groups alike. On 25 July 2024, Krieger appeared on Belarusian state-run TV in a plea to ask Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for a pardon, a move likely done in duress for propaganda purposes. The plea brought more attention to his case internationally, and by 30 July, Krieger was pardoned by Lukashenko. Two days later, he was traded for the detained Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer and hitman Vadim Krasikov, and returned to Germany as part of the 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange, with Krieger being the only western prisoner coming from a nation other than Russia.

Since his return, Krieger has been involved in an investigation which aims to determine his guilt on the matter, as well as his purpose for traveling to Belarus. While it was unknown during his detainment how many of his confessions were done under duress, Krieger has claimed since returning he both took reconnaissance photos and placed the backpack under direction from the SBU, but was never a part of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment despite Belarussian claims, and insists he was unaware the contents of the bag he placed would cause an explosion. The situation has highlighted modern day Belarusian misinformation tactics, and has been a strain on Belarus–Germany relations.