Chairman of the Republican Chess Federation – Public Association “Belarusian Chess Federation”, former Director General of BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise
In his former position as Director General of the BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise, Leanid Churo was responsible for Belarusian air traffic control. He therefore bears responsibility for diverting passenger flight FR4978 to Minsk airport without proper justification on 23 May 2021. This politically motivated decision was aimed at arresting and detaining opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and is a form of repression against civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. He is therefore responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition. He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the chairman of the Republican Chess Federation – Public Association “Belarusian Chess Federation”.