Two Minsk’s intelligence agents infiltrate exiled opposition – report
November 12, Pozirk. Juryj Kiziuk and Michaił Pavietka of the Belarusian defense ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate have been working as Minsk’s undercover agents in Poland, collecting information on exiled Belarusian opposition, the Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) reported.
The BRC uncovered their activities in cooperation with Alliance of Investigators and Poland’s Rzeczpospolita with assistance from the Cyberpartisans hacktivist group.
Kiziuk reportedly used the name of Dźmitryj Pratasievič, while Pavietka posed as Maksim Kandratovič. Both are alumni of the interior ministry’s academy.
Pavietka used to work at the Military Commandant’s Office in Minsk before entering the intelligence service, while Kiziuk served as a senior economic police officer in Navahrudak, Hrodna region. Four years ago, both infiltrated the Belarusian opposition and volunteer initiatives and set up a company in Poland.
In early 2021, Pavietka aka Pratasievič applied to join the opposition Razam party’s organizing committee. Its coordinator Ivan Kraŭcoŭ confirmed that a presumed agent attended one the meetings in Warsaw in 2021 and later participated in an online educational project but denied his further involvement in the committee’s activities or access to internal data.
The Warsaw-based opposition National Anti-Crisis Management told the BIC that it was aware of the agents’ infiltration. “This case is already being handled by the Polish authorities. It might be best to avoid publicity at this stage, as it could impact their work,” the group noted.
Over the past few years, Minsk’s agents expanded their activities in Poland, a top destination for opposition activists and Belarusians fleeing politically-motivated reprisals at home.
Politically-motivated cases account for third of KGB investigations
- PoliticsRussia says no neocolonial practices in Union StateThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsBelarus' election a challenge for Poland's EU presidency – TuskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsForeign ministry urges citizens to leave Syria immediatelyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian journalists face psychological, financial problems – pollThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus grants Lithuania's request for extradition of murder suspectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyHouse of Representatives passes 2025 budget with deficitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB brands 11 people as terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian PEN calls on Georgia to protect protesters' rightsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityPutin greenlights security guarantees deal with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Elections, PoliticsProsecutors set to prevent protests in run-up to presidential electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka boasts record trade with Russia despite “unresolved issues”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy
- EconomyLaw legalizing piracy, gray imports extended for two yearsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian health resorts expecting record number of foreigners this year – officialThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityŁukašenka, Putin to discuss security, economic ties in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia completes investigation against ex-Naftan worker accused of terrorismThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: two Mahiloŭ men arrested over support of opposition, Ukraine’s armyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsJournalist Laŭčuk charged with insulting ŁukašenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityŁukašenka authorizes foreign ministry to negotiate deal on Russian security guaranteesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityUS Congress to hold hearing on Łukašenka’s role in relocation of Ukrainian childrenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Elections, Politics, SecurityMilitary chief propaganda officer teaches Homiel region’s officials to sort “truth” from liesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsArmenia-CSTO relations beyond "point of no return" – PashinyanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsIllegal Belarus-EU crossings exceed 1,400 in NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuania bans 577 Belarusians from entering since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsVilnius notifies Minsk of terminating customs cooperation agreementThe material is available only to POZIRK+