KGB: Ukrainian Sharoiko Created Espionage Ring In Belarus

Belarusian secret services accuse the Ukrainian journalist of working under the cover.

“Ukrainian journalist Pavlo Sharoiko, detained in Belarus, set up an espionage ring consisting of the citizens of Belarus, who collected the data of the intelligence character for him on a fee basis.

After the detention, Sharoiko confessed that he was an employee of Ukraine's military intelligence and operated in Belarus under the cover of a journalist. His rank was a Colonel,” — KGB press officer Dzmitry Pabiarzhyn said at the briefing, tut.by reports.

“On October 25, 2017 the KGB officers detained trained intelligence officer of the Chief Bureau of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Pavlo Sharoiko with the mainour, when conducting an agent action. Considering his working experience as the head of the press-center of the Chief Bureau of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defense, his cover was appointed to be the post of a reporter at the Public National TV and Radio Company of Ukraine,” — official representative of the Belarusian KGB Dzmitry Pabiarzhyn told at the briefing.

According to the KGB officer, Pavlo Sharoiko created in Belarus an espionage ring consisting of the citizens of Belarus, who “fulfilled his instructions on collection of information of the intelligence character in the military-political sphere, on a fee basis.”

"A criminal case was initiated against Pavlo Sharoiko under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“Espionage”) and a decision was made to apply a preventive measure in the form of detention," — the KGB officer added.

It is alleged that during the investigation, "there was convincing evidence of his unlawful activities, which harmed the national interests of Belarus." During the search at Sharoiko’s place they found copies of reconnaissance reports sent by him earlier to the Center.

“As a result Sharoiko confessed that he was an employee of the military intelligence apparatus, working under the cover. He also revealed his rank — a Colonel. He also confirmed that his intelligence activities were coordinated by officer of the Chief Bureau of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Ihor Skvortsov, who acted under the cover of the advisor at Ukraine’s Embassy to Belarus (the website of Ukraine’s MFA claims that he held the position of First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in Belarus — tut.by)

For the activities not compatible with the diplomatic status Skvortsov was announced a persona non grata,” — Dzmitry Pabiarzhyn noted.

The detention of the Ukrainian journalist in Minsk was reported on November 17, chairman of the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine Zurab Alasania stated. According to colleagues, Sharoiko was detained on October 25 in Minsk. The journalist's wife also does not know the details of the detention. Sharoiko’s Minsk apartment was searched. Sharoiko’s colleagues said that his recent materials had been related to the negotiations of the tripartite group in Ukraine and the missing Ukrainian in Homel, Pavlo Hryb.

As Pavlo Sharoiko’s wife Olena said, the KGB officers detained the journalist. Later, Sharoiko's wife learned that Pavlo was suspected of espionage.

On November 18, Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus Ihor Kizim stated that Pavlo Sharoiko was in the KGB remand prison, the Ukrainian consul was allowed to visit the detainee.

The ambassador also confirmed that the reason for the detention was the charge of espionage.

"After the arrest, the reasons were named — this is a charge of espionage under the Criminal Code of Belarus. Now he is in the KGB remand prison under investigation," — he said.

Who is Pavlo Sharoiko?

Pavlo Sharoiko graduated from the Lviv Higher Military-Political School with a specialization in military journalism.

In 2001, the Press Service was established in the Chief Bureau of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the first time in the practice of the country’s military intelligence. Major Pavlo Sharoiko became its chief and press secretary. Sharoiko worked in the Bureau until 2009.

In Belarus, Sharoiko first headed the Ukrainian agency UNIAN, then became the correspondent of the Ukrainian Radio in Belarus.