Alexander Lukashenko visits Valaam Island in Lake Ladoga, northwestern Russia, 25 July 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned German citizen Rico Krieger, who was sentenced to death in the country last month, Telegram channel Pul Pervogo reported on Tuesday, citing the presidential press service.

According to Belarusian prosecutors, Krieger, a former Red Cross employee, was instructed by the Security Service of Ukraine to carry out reconnaissance and take photographs of Belarusian military installations in October.

Krieger was also found guilty of planting explosives along a railway line and causing an explosion on 5 October. In a video posted by Belarusian state television on Friday, Krieger admitted that he planted the explosives before making a tearful appeal to Lukashenko, and begging for forgiveness for what he said had been the greatest mistake of his life.

Although no date had been set for Krieger’s execution, having exhausted all avenues of appeal, it could have been carried out at any moment.

In footage taken earlier on Tuesday, Lukashenko was seen discussing the case with a group of advisors and seeking their advice over what he described as one of the toughest decisions he had faced as a head of state, while also reminding them that the final word on the issue would be his.