Maksim Chyzheuski 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 Aliaksei Kufko.
On 11 August 2020, during the protests that followed the presidential election, Maksim and Aliaksei were detained in the centre of Brest and severely beaten during the arrest. According to the prosecution, they 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.
In February 2022 Maksim was found guilty in a criminal case opened under the article "Organisation and preparation of actions grossly violating public order, or active participation in them" for preparing to take part in those post-election protests.
