Aliaksei Kufko was a college student and played airsoft. The GUBOPiK (the main directorate for combating organised crime and corruption) wiretapped his phone and that of his friend Maksim Chyzheuski.
On 11 August 2020, during the protests that followed the presidential election, Aliaksei and Maksim were detained in the centre of Brest and severely beaten during the arrest. A forensic examination found at least 42 injuries on Aliaksei, including blows to the head and dislocated teeth, but the authorities refused to open a criminal case against the police officers. According to the prosecution, the two were allegedly preparing to take part in the protests and bought a spearfishing knife, a smoke grenade, pyrotechnics, a slingshot and protective gear for that purpose.
Aliaksei was also charged with carrying a cold weapon, although it was a small knife with a broken tip that he wore on his backpack as a souvenir.
In February 2022 Aliaksei was found guilty in a criminal case opened under the articles "Organisation and preparation of actions grossly violating public order, or active participation in them" and "Illegal actions with cold weapons" for preparing to take part in those post-election protests and carrying the knife.
