Ukrainian Ambassador in Belarus Ihor Kyzym has confirmed that a Ukrainian journalist, UA: Ukrainian Radio employee Pavlo Sharoiko, who was detained in Belarus, is accused of espionage.

"After his detention the reasons were disclosed. This is accusation of espionage under the Criminal Code of Belarus. Now he is staying in the pretrial detention center of Belarusian State Security Committee [KGB]," the ambassador told 112.Ukraine TV channel.

The diplomat said that the Foreign Ministry of Belarus has not yet presented an official comment on the detention of the Ukrainian journalist.

He said that the Ukraine consul visited Sharoiko only after a request was sent to Belarusian authorities.

"Immediately, as we were informed about this [detention], we sent a note on access to the detainee, which was granted. Our consul met with Sharoiko to find out the conditions under which he was kept and that he did not complain about them. Then a meeting of our consul with his wife Sharoiko and a lawyer took place," Kyzym said.

As reported, Sharoiko was arrested in Minsk on October 25, 2017. An apartment where Pavlo lived with his family – his wife Olena and a daughter – was raided. Sharoiko has only a depending lawyer appointed by Belarusian authorities. Sharoiko's wife said that the lawyer appointed by Minsk signed a pledge of secrecy and no information is provided to her.