2024-09-08 21:38:06
Minsk: Belarusian police have detained a suspected Japanese intelligence agent. The agent is accused of visiting border areas of Belarus and spying on military bases. “Belarusian state TV channel Belarus 1 reported the arrest and said it would provide more information on the incident later,” Belarusian media reported. Belarusian media said the detained Japanese citizen was allegedly involved in gathering intelligence about social and economic conditions in Belarus, the implementation of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, and the situation on Belarus’ border with Ukraine.
was spying on the Belarusian army
He was also recording videos of Belarusian military buildups, military deployments and infrastructure, the report said. Japan’s embassy in Belarus confirmed the detention of a Japanese man on July 9 for what authorities said was a violation of local laws. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular press conference on Thursday that the Japanese citizen detained in Belarus is in his 50s. Hayashi, citing embassy staff, said the detainee had no health problems. He declined to comment on the reason for his detention.
Japanese citizen confessed his crime!
US government-funded Radio Liberty, citing a Belarusian television report, said the man was detained in the southeastern city of Gomel and had shown interest in a “wide range of areas” in the country. It said the man previously taught Japanese at a university in the city, which is also his wife’s hometown. He had organised an exhibition of Japanese culture and traditions. Liberty said the Japanese citizen acknowledged his activities could have been harmful to Belarus.
Belarus is close to Russia
Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, is one of Russia’s closest allies. It allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to use its territory to invade Ukraine in February 2022. Media reports said this was the first case of a Japanese citizen being involved in intelligence activity. Japan has imposed sanctions on several Belarusian entities for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their assets have also been frozen and export restrictions have also been announced.