Sharoyko, convicted in Belarus journalist, can communicate with embassy

Photo credit: Pavlo Sharoyko's Facebook Ukrainian journalist convicted in Belarus for espionage, Pavlo Sharoyko maintains contact with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Belarus, as UNN reported. "In accordance with the international legislation in force dealing with enforcement of international sentences and the treatment of convicted persons, Sharoyko has been provided with an opportunity to communicate with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Belarus by means of correspondence, telephone conversations, visits, etc.," as the KGB in Belarus told UNN. As to Belarussian KGB, Ukrainian diplomatic mission dispose of information as to conditions of detention of the journalist. IMI reported, on November 17, 2017, it got about that a journalist of Ukrainian Radio Pavlo Sharoyko was detained in Belarus on suspicion of espionage. On November 20, 2017, the official representative of the State Security Committee of Belarus, Dmitry Pobyrzhin, said that Pavlo Sharoyko pleaded guilty of being agent of the intelligence apparatus, he confirmed to have been working undercover in the rank of colonel and developed human intelligence network. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR MO) has denied the report of the Belarusian KGB about involvement of Ukrainian journalist Pavlo Sharoyko in intelligence activity in Belarus. On November 21, 2017, the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine stated that the company did not cooperate with the intelligence services. Earlier in Ukraine, a Belarusian citizen, Yury Politika, was arrested and charged with espionage in favor of a foreign country. The trial of Politika takes place in Chernihiv. Observers suggest a possible exchange of Politics for Sharoyko. On October 5, 2018, the Chairman of the State Security Committee of Belarus Valery Vakulchyk stated impossible swap of Sharoyko against Belarusian Yuriy Politika, but he added, they envisaged to pardon Ukrainian journalist.