The verdict for the musician was announced on August 4 by the Minsk City Court. He was found guilty of “insulting the president” and “inciting social hatred.”
Read more Former Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Suspected of Illegal Enrichment
The criminal case against S. Michalko was initiated in May 2026. As clarified by “Viasna,” the basis for this was videos posted by the musician on social networks in 2021–2022. Among them was a video address recorded in March 2022, in which he criticized Belarusian law enforcement officers and soldiers who used violence against peaceful protesters.
In 2024, when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, S. Michalko released a series of anti-war video appeals to the Belarusian army, Belarusian citizens, and Russian rock musicians.
“The coward and traitor to the homeland Lukashenko, frightened, handed our country over to the mad tyrant Putin. These two scoundrels use Belarusian territory to attack brotherly Ukraine,” he said at the time.
Read more Long-term work crowned with success: after a serious injury, the girl learned to walk independently
In 2024, a Belarusian court recognized the song and video clip “Не быць скотам” by “Lyapis Trubetskoy,” created based on the poem by Belarusian literary classic Yanka Kupala, as “extremist.” The lyrics of the songs “Не жадаю,” “Лукашенко,” and “Уходи” were also labeled as “extremist.”
S. Michalok is a musician of Belarusian and Ukrainian origin, founder of the popular groups “Lyapis Trubetskoy” and “Brutto.” He lived and worked in Ukraine for many years and was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine in 2020.
After Russia attacked Ukraine, he held several benefit concerts with his band. According to the publication “Telegraf,” S. Michalko currently lives in Estonia with his wife.
