Ales Ivanov

Ales Ivanov is a former KGB officer and human resources manager who gained attention after being sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly aiding extremist activities by reporting military aircraft movements towards Ukraine. Ivanov, who has a deep-rooted interest in Belarusian culture and language, began transitioning to speaking Belarusian after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. His political activism and criticism of the government led to his arrest in August 2022, following a brief period of hiding due to the escalating political repression in Belarus. He was released on April 20, 2024, and subsequently fled Belarus with his family.