German sentenced to death in Belarus

Rico Krieger, a 30-year-old German citizen sentenced to death in Belarus for terrorism, has publicly begged for mercy from President Alexander Lukashenko during a televised appearance. Convicted under six articles of the Belarusian criminal code, including mercenary activities and terrorism, Krieger admitted to being directed by Ukraine's SBU to photograph military sites and plant an explosive device near Minsk, which fortunately did not cause any casualties. The German government has expressed concern over Krieger's treatment and reiterated its opposition to the death penalty, while Krieger claimed to feel abandoned by Berlin in his time of need. Human rights organizations have condemned the Belarusian authorities for their handling of the case, calling the televised confession a violation of dignity. The death penalty remains a contentious issue in Belarus, which has executed around 400 individuals since its independence, with executions of foreign nationals being rare. Diplomatic discussions continue as Germany seeks to provide consular support for Krieger amidst these developments.