Lithuanian citizen sentenced to 15 years in Belarusian prison

A Lithuanian citizen has been sentenced to 15 years in a Belarusian prison, prompting Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė to warn that “no one is safe” in the country, LRT reports.

Miroslavas Trockis, a Lithuanian national, was convicted in spring 2026 on charges of espionage and “agent activity” under Articles 358 and 358-1 of Belarus’ Criminal Code, according to human rights activists. The harsh sentence—15 years in a high-security colony—was confirmed by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry, which stated it maintains regular contact with Trockis’ family and that a consul has visited him.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Ruginienė urged Lithuanians to “responsibly assess the risks” of traveling to Belarus, citing repeated cases of arbitrary detentions. “We have seen what happened to drivers, we see what is happening to citizens,” she said. “We have warned multiple times to be cautious, to evaluate all risks carefully before traveling. The Belarusian regime is such that no one can be safe there.”

The prime minister emphasized ongoing efforts with international partners to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus but offered no immediate change in Lithuania’s diplomatic stance. “For dialogue, each country must do its homework,” she said. “We have done ours and are ready, but we expect the same from the other side. Only then can we discuss further steps.”

Trockis, a Vilnius resident and 2011 graduate of Mykolas Romeris University, frequently visited Belarus to see relatives, including his fiancée or wife, according to social media posts. Human rights monitors report he was detained in autumn 2024 after traveling to see family. Prior to his arrest, his only notable online activity was participating in Telegram groups discussing border crossings, including a May 2024 post seeking someone to queue for him at the Šalčininkai-Benekainiai checkpoint.

No evidence has emerged of Trockis engaging in prohibited activity on other platforms. The dissident-tracking initiative Dissidentby first reported his sentencing, noting that case details remain under investigation but may involve espionage allegations.

Separately, Ruginienė addressed the future of Vilnius’ Concert and Sports Palace, stating the government would not obstruct the municipality’s potential takeover of the building. “The most realistic alternative today is to negotiate with Vilnius Municipality so they assume control,” she said, adding that no government obstacles exist once the city confirms its readiness.