‘Son of Gypsy Baron’ Tried in Mahiliou

He was detained during a raid on the case of the Mahiliou traffic policeman.

Mikhail Baranouski, a representative of the Roma diaspora, was sentenced in Mahiliou. He was found "guilty of drug trafficking, driving without a driver's license and intoxicated," reports Belarus 1. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of Br8.1 thousand.

22 May 2019, Mikhail Baranouski was detained during a raid on Roma district in the neighborhood of Chapayevka on the case of the murder of traffic police inspector Jauhen Potapovich. Police reported that they had detained a 48-year-old Gypsy baron nicknamed Romka. He was suspected of drug trafficking and non-execution of the court decision to deprive him of the right to drive vehicles. The footage of the special operations of the traffic police and riot policemen shows that the detention was quite severe.

- The day before we received information about the suspect's involvement in the regular sale of methadone, other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Today it became known that the dealer has managed to sell the potion to several people and intends to make another similar deal. This information was given by the MIA MDCOCC (Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption) almost 10 months ago.

The police also report that Baranouski sold drugs to citizens at least three times in just one day. Before the detention, he managed to swallow a bag, presumably with drugs.

Romka's mother claims that their Mikhail is not a baron. They say that his father was the baron, but he is presented as a scapegoat now.

The trial was held behind closed doors. There were a drug buyer and Baranouski on the dock. The first one was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.