Alexander Aranovich, driver of the "Country for Life" camper van, who was arrested with Tsikhanouski, has reportedly been released
In total, Aranovich spent almost six years behind bars. His term increased by an additional six months during his sentence.
Alexander Aranovich. Photo: Viasna
43-year-old Alexander Aranovich has been released. He was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony for "organizing actions that grossly violate public order" (Part 1, Article 342 of the Criminal Code), as well as for "preparing to participate in mass riots" (Part 2, Article 13, Article 293 of the Criminal Code). The only "evidence" for the latter charge was an old smoke bomb allegedly found in the attic of his parents' house in Staryya Darohi during the third search.
Aranovich is a native of Staryya Darohi, a person far from politics in the usual sense. He graduated from the Babruisk Olympic Reserve School, and until 2015, he was an individual entrepreneur, engaged in cargo transportation, and went to Russia for work.
In the spring of 2020, Aranovich joined the team of Siarhei Tsikhanouski's YouTube channel "Country for Life" and got behind the wheel of the very camper van on which the bloggers traveled around the regions and gathered people for meetings. He was driving the car — and he was the first person law enforcement tried to get.
Aranovich's name was first heard on May 5, 2020, in Mogilev, where the team arrived for a meeting with subscribers. The State Automobile Inspectorate stopped the camper van and tried to detain the driver — but people surrounded the car from all sides and simply did not let the police approach it. However, a few days later, Aranovich was still detained. He was given 6 days, but released after serving the sentence.
Alexander Aranovich. Photo: Radio Svoboda
This did not last long. On May 29, 2020, in Grodno, Aranovich was detained along with Siarhei Tsikhanouski and other team members during a picket to collect signatures. He has not been released since that day.
Aranovich was accused, among other things, of allegedly dressing in clothes similar to those worn by Tsikhanouski to provide him with protection at the event and, in the future, to help him hide.
Judge Alena Pyatrova of the Leninsky District Court of Grodno announced the verdict on April 27, 2021 — 6 years of imprisonment. There was no testimony from Aranovich himself in the case — during the investigation and in court, he refused to testify and did not admit guilt.
During his sentence, the political prisoner was given an additional six months — for "disobedience."
Aranovich was held in Volchy Nory, in Vawkavysk, as well as in prison conditions in Mogilev.
As a result, the political prisoner fully served his appointed term. He was released in May 2026.
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