KGB: Ukrainian journalist confessed he is a military intelligence spy
File photo. Source: Fotolia
On 20 November, Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) held a briefing for reporters on the detention of Ukrainian journalist Pavel Sharoiko in Belarus. KGB press officer Dzmitry Pabiarzhyn said: "Sharoiko confessed that he is an employee of Ukraine's military intelligence and operated in Belarus under the cover of a journalist. His handler was a Colonel, a diplomat from the Ukrainian embssy in Minsk, whom Belarus has already declared a persona non grata."
According to the KGB spokesman, initially they hoped information about the detention would remain closed not to undermine the Belarus-Ukraine relations. However, the situation was leaked to media.
Along with the Ukrainian, a Belarus citizen was detained.
“A Belarus citizen was detained when collecting secret materials. He carried out espionage activities in the interests of Ukraine. The Belarusian admitted his guilt and said he collected information about defense capabilities of Belarus on the orders of Ukraine's military intelligence in exchange for monetary reward. A criminal case under Article 356 in the Criminal Code "State treason" was opened against him," KGB said.
KGB claims the Ukrainian set up a spy ring in Belarus consisting of Belarus citizens who worked for him for money.
The spokesman declined to comment on the detention of a Ukrainian businessman 39-year-old Oleksandr Skiba.
