Tertel: Protasevich serves intelligence

In an official statement, Belarus KGB head Ivan Tertel (September 12, 2024) announced that journalist and activist Pavel Protasevich is an employee of the country's foreign intelligence. According to Tertel, Protasevich "received qualification and completed specific combat and intelligence tasks" in the state's interest.

According to the statement, Protasevich actively worked in the agency since 2015 and was categorized as a "professional civilian activist." Tertel emphasized that "Protasevich's identified activities within security and law enforcement" confirm his ties to foreign intelligence.

This statement follows the Belarusian administration's accusations against Protasevich of organizing protest actions and gathering information in support of the Ukrainian military conflict. The emergence of this new version of the charges intensifies tensions within the country and in relations with neighboring states.

Context

Protasevich is a well-known Belarusian journalist, arrested in September 2023 at Minsk airport.