Miroslavas Trockis is a 35-year-old resident of Vilnius, Lithuania. Online, he also used the alias Miroslav Trotsky. His profile indicates personal ties to neighboring Belarus, where he reportedly has a fiancée or wife, as well as other relatives whom he had been visiting since his youth.
However, his story serves as a warning of how dangerous travel to Belarus can be for EU citizens under the current regime.
May 2024: He was active in Telegram groups used by people crossing the border (sharing information about queues, delays, etc.). He sought help while waiting at the Šalčininkai–Beniakoni border crossing, one of the main routes from Vilnius. This confirms that his trip to Belarus was planned and routine.
Autumn 2024: During one of his visits to relatives, Belarusian authorities detained him. The reasons for his detention were not made public at the time.
March 2026: After a long period in custody, the case concluded. On March 11, 2026, a court sentenced him to an exceptionally harsh punishment: 15 years in a high-security penal colony.
The Dissidentby initiative, which monitors political prisoners, highlights several unusual aspects:
- Lack of evidence: A review of his social media revealed no content that would be considered illegal under Belarusian law (such as criticism of the regime or support for the opposition). He appeared to be an “ordinary” traveler.
- Espionage charges: Although details remain scarce due to the secrecy of such trials, it is believed he was charged under espionage laws. In Belarus, these charges are increasingly used against foreign citizens without clear evidence of intelligence activity.
- Political motive: A 15-year sentence for someone visiting family suggests a deliberate escalation of tensions between Belarus and Lithuania. Such harsh sentences are often used as leverage in potential prisoner exchanges or as retaliation for Lithuania’s border restrictions.
The case of Miroslavas Trockis is one of the most severe examples of foreign nationals being sentenced in Belarus in recent years. Despite being merely a law graduate visiting family, he became a victim of geopolitical tensions. His fate is a stark warning of the risks for Lithuanians who continue to travel to Belarus despite official warnings.
