Stepan Sukhorenko

{{Short description|Belarusian politician and security official (born 1957)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Stepan Nikolaevich Sukhorenko | native_name = {{nobold|Сцяпа́н Мікала́евіч Сухарэ́нка Степан Николаевич Сухоренко}} | image = Stepan Suhorenko (2015-07-22).jpg | caption = Sukhorenko in 2015 in Armenia. | alt = | office = Chairman of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus | president = Alexander Lukashenko | prime_minister = Sergei Sidorsky | term_start = 20 January 2005 | term_end = 17 July 2007 | predecessor = Leonid Erin | successor = Yuri Zhadobin | office2 = Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Armenia | president2 = Alexander Lukashenko | prime_minister2 = Sergei Sidorsky Mikhail Myasnikovich Andrei Kobyakov | term_start2 = 14 August 2008 | term_end2 = 25 June 2015 | predecessor2 = Marina Dolgopolova | successor2 = Igor Nazaruk | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1957|01|27}} | birth_place = Zdudichi, Svyetlahorsk district, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union {{small|(now Belarus)}} | death_date = | party = | death_place = | alma_mater = Belarusian State Technological University | occupation = Politician Policeman | spouse = | children = | module = {{Infobox military officer | embed = yes | rank = Major general }} }}

'''Stepan Nikolaevich Sukhorenko''' (also transliterated as '''Stsiapan Sukharenka'''; {{langx|be|Сцяпа́н Мікала́евіч Сухарэ́нка}}; born 27 January 1957) is a Belarusian politician and security official. He previously served as Chairman of State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (KGB) from 2005 to 2007 and as Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Armenia from 2008 to 2015.

Born in Zdudichi, Sukhorenko first worked as a foreman then deputy head of the workshop of the Minsk Plant of the Минскстройматериалы (Minsk Construction Materials). In 1984 he entered the KGB of the BSSR, continuing to work there until the fall of the Soviet Union when he joined the Belarusian KGB. In 2000 he became First Deputy Chairman of the KGB, before becoming chairman in 2005.

His time as chairman was heavily overshadowed by the 2006 Belarusian presidential election and subsequent Jeans Revolution. Over the course of calls for protests, he stated that the Belarusian opposition had trained militants in Georgia, and that they planned to do a false flag and take over in a coup. He became known for a conference in which he showed evidence of a Georgian militant, who said they were planning to poison the water supply with dead rats, which became a meme and famous. After being dismissed in 2007, he became the Ambassador to Armenia in 2008. His time there was marked by a response to Azerbaijan's and Armenia's worsening relations, where he attempted to be neutral. Since then, his activity has been unknown.

== Early life == Sukhorenko was born on 27 January 1957 in Zdudichi (Svyetlahorsk district), which was part of the Byelorussian SSR at the time of his birth.<ref name="law">{{cite book |title=Силовые структуры республики Беларус': совремменное состояние |date=2006 |publisher=T͡Sentr politicheskoĭ informat͡sii |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8WMWAQAAIAAJ&q=%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD+%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%A1%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE+%C2%AB27+%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8F+1957+%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0%C2%BB |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=ru}}</ref> He first studied at the Svetlogorsk Technical School No 50 in the Gomel region before attending the Belarusian State Technological University, where he graduated from in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |title=Краткая биография руководителей - История органов госбезопасности - ДЕМО-САЙТ |url=http://www.kgb.by/history/biography?print=1 |website=www.kgb.by | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003102123/http://www.kgb.by/history/biography?print=1 |access-date=7 June 2025| archive-date=3 October 2010 }}</ref> After graduating, he worked as a foreman, shift supervisor, and deputy head of the workshop of the Minsk Plant of the company Минскстройматериалы (Minsk Construction Materials).<ref>{{cite book |title=События, люди, факты: ежегодник БЕЛТА |date=2005 |publisher=БЕЛТА |page=40 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-IiAQAAIAAJ&q=%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD+%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%A1%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE+%C2%AB%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8B%C2%BB |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=ru}}</ref>

In 1984 he entered into the forces of the KGB of the BSSR.<ref name="lib" /> He then entered the Academy of Higher Courses of the KGB of the USSR, where he graduated in 1985.<ref>{{cite book |title=Партизанская республика: акции протеста в Минске 19-25 марта 2006 г |date=2006 |publisher=Центр "Панорама" |isbn=978-5-94420-023-5 |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzkjAQAAIAAJ&q=%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD+%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%A1%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE+%C2%AB1985%C2%BB |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=ru}}</ref> After that, he worked for the KGB of the BSSR in the Minsk region from 1985 to 1989.<ref name="lib">{{cite web |title=СУХОРЕНКО Степан Николаев |url=https://elib.bsu.by/bitstream/123456789/112770/1/%D0%A1%D0%A3%D0%A5%D0%9E%D0%A0%D0%95%EF%80%89%D0%9D%D0%9A%D0%9E%20%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD%20%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87.pdf?ysclid=mbmtyli1d9843113763 |website=elib.bsu.by |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> In 1989 he was appointed deputy and then eventually head of the Barysaw city department in the Minsk region of the KGB of the BSSR, which after the fall of the Soviet Union simply became the Belarusian KGB.<ref>{{cite book |title=События, люди, факты: ежегодник БЕЛТА |date=2007 |publisher=БЕЛТА |page=49 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hwhAQAAMAAJ&q=%D0%A1%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BD+%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87+%D0%A1%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE+%C2%AB1989%C2%BB |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=ru}}</ref> He then became an employee of the KGB Inspectorate of the Republic of Belarus in 1993, where he did for a year.<ref name="lib" /> From 1994 to 1997 he was an employee of the apparatus of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus.<ref name="lib" /> During this time, in 1996, he graduated from the Academy of Public Administration ''in absentia''.<ref name="law" />

On 5 November 1997 he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian KGB.<ref>{{cite web |title=Указ № 567 (Указ Президента Республики Беларусь от 5 ноября 1997 г. №567 «О назначении С.Н.Сухоренко заместителем Председателя Комитета государственной безопасности Республики Беларусь.») |url=https://etalonline.by/document/?regnum=p39700567&ysclid=mbmurze4pi286298841 |website=etalonline.by |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> His position was to officially oversee the fight against organized crime and corruption.<ref name="kom">{{cite news |title=Шпионов в Белоруссии будет ловить Рыбак |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/540632?ysclid=mbodk6keq4734723961 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=Kommersant |date=21 January 2005 |language=ru}}</ref> He then took on the position of head of the department of the KGB in Minsk and in the Minsk region from 25 August 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title=Законодательство Республики Беларусь – Normativka.by |url=https://normativka.by/lib/document/500012095?ysclid=mbmuwxdzu0106303230 |website=normativka.by |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> On 23 February 2000, when he was then a colonel, he was promoted to the rank of major general by presidential decree.<ref name="kp">{{cite news |title=Степан Сухоренко возглавил КГБ А бывший глава этого ведомства Леонид Ерин до сих пор не получил новой должности |url=https://www.kp.ru/daily/23445/137816/?ysclid=mbmuyza4mo489951064 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=KP |date=21 January 2005}}</ref> On 17 October 2000 he was appointed First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian KGB, which is the immediate successor to the chairman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Законодательство Республики Беларусь – Normativka.by |url=https://normativka.by/lib/document/500011212?ysclid=mbmv3ac71c157935911 |website=normativka.by |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> It was alleged that during his time as First Deputy Chairman Sukhorenko was entrusted with the supervision of the candidates of the 2001 Belarusian presidential election, including anti-Lukashenko candidate Mikhail Marynich.<ref name="kp" /> In November 2001 he gained the nickname "Rybak" due him helping shut down the profitable Belvillesden company, which produced fresh-frozen fish for attempting to form a monopoly.<ref name="kom" /> During this time, he also supervised the arms trade of Belarus, although he was accused of conducting trade with countries such as Algeria, Angola, and Sudan during wars.<ref name="kom" />

== Political career == === Chairman of the KGB (2005-2007) ===  On 20 January 2005, President Alexander Lukashenko appointed Sukhorenko as Chairman of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (KGB), succeeding Leonid Erin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Законодательство Республики Беларусь – Normativka.by |url=https://normativka.by/lib/document/500021269?ysclid=mbo8rng6if655568443 |website=normativka.by |access-date=8 June 2025}}</ref> However, since the spring of 2004, Sukhorenko had been ''de facto'' the chairman and been the duties associated with the position because Yerin met with representatives of the opposition and because of hesitation about Yerin's loyalty to Belarus since he previously been part of the Federal Security Service in Russia and was associated with a conspiracy of Chekism.<ref name="kom" />

==== 2006 elections and Jeans Revolution ==== {{main article|2006 Belarusian presidential election}} {{main article|Jeans Revolution}} In November 2005, he announced that adoption of amendments to the Criminal Code, which would increase responsibility for acts, would be introduced to stop protests ahead of the 2006 Belarusian presidential election.<ref name="s1">{{cite news |title=Глава КГБ: в Беларуси было создано несколько баз по подготовке боевиков |url=https://news.tut.by/politics/60725.html |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=TUT.BY |date=25 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121063413/https://news.tut.by/politics/60725.html |archive-date=21 November 2015 |language=ru-RU}}</ref> He stated that protestors were using their actions to exert external pressure and destabilize the country, which would result in a regime change.<ref name="s1" /> He also stated that the opposition had created several bases in Belarus to train militants to organize mass riots, including in Vileyka district and Krupki district.<ref name="s1" /> On 29 November, he elaborated and accused Western countries of wanting regime change via colored revolutions using NGO's, youth groups, the opposition, exchange programs, and broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web |title=SUBJECT: EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY REPORT - December 02, 2005 |url=https://ia601301.us.archive.org/22/items/05MINSK1462/05MINSK1462.pdf |website=ia601301.us.archive.org |access-date=8 June 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Belarus-Minsk-Opposition Protests 2006.03.19.jpg|thumb|left|Sukhorenko alleged that during the Jeans Revolution a protest rally in Minsk (pictured here) an explosion would go off that was planted internally by the opposition.]] In December 2005 a law was passed making to a criminal offense to "discredit" the Belarusian state, with Sukhorenko stating it was intended to stop a wave of protests like the Orange Revolution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belarus tightens up protest laws |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4492368.stm |access-date=8 June 2025 |date=2 December 2005}}</ref> On 1 March, the month of the election, he revealed the supposed opposition conspiracy by the opposition.<ref name="tut" /> He stated that after the announcements of the results of the election on March 19, the opposition would announce that the election was not true through parallel observations with false exit polls.<ref name="tut">{{cite news |title=КГБ Беларуси раскрыл план оппозиции по свержению Лукашенко |url=https://news.tut.by/elections/64883.html |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=TUT.BY |date=1 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725164337/https://news.tut.by/elections/64883.html |archive-date=25 July 2015 |language=ru-RU}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Марш на Окрестина и скандал с девочкой, из-за которой мы поссорились с Италией. Каким был 2006 год в истории Беларуси |url=https://news.zerkalo.io/economics/34693.html |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Зеркало |date=22 March 2023 |language=ru}}</ref> They would then gather several thousand people in Minsk and detonate explosives, which would unit the protestors and they would seize government buildings and railway stations to stop the functions of the states using militants from Goergia, Ukraine, and from the countries of former Yugoslavia.<ref name="tut" />

On 16 March, he stated that terrorist attacks were being prepared by the opposition for four schools in Minsk.<ref name="s3">{{cite news |title=КГБ Беларуси: В день выборов готовились взрывы четырех школ |url=https://news.tut.by/elections/65515.html |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=TUT.BY |date=16 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725185329/https://news.tut.by/elections/65515.html |archive-date=25 July 2015 |language=ru-RU}}</ref> He also elaborated that the militants were trained in a Georgian camp called "Kmara" under Arab teachers and former officers of the Soviet Army and that they were supervised by a colonel of the security service of the State Security Service of Georgia and Americans.<ref name="s3" /> They were also allegedly trained in hand-to-hand combat, chemical protection, explosives, and installation of tripwires.<ref name="s3" /> He also announced that anybody who showed up at protests would be treated as terrorists and would be detained.<ref>{{cite news |title=Belarus opposition accused of coup bid |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/3/16/belarus-opposition-accused-of-coup-bid |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |date=16 March 2006 |language=en}}</ref>

A day later, Sukhorenko held a press conference where he claimed opposition activists were preparing bombings and arson, demonstrating newspapers, foreign currency, and opposition materials, but did not state how they were used.<ref name="s4">{{cite news |title=КДБ: Апазыцыя будзе труціць ваду атрутай з дохлых мышэй |url=https://nashaniva.com/847 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Наша Ніва |date=17 March 2006 |language=be}}</ref> Furthermore, he presented an alleged activist who said they received training in Georgia on how to poison water supplies.<ref name="s4" /> During the conference, in the video's interrogation of the supposed terrorist, the person also stated that they would throw a dead rat or mouse into the water supply system, which would lead to mass poisoning.<ref>{{cite news |title=БАТЬКА ПОД КРЫСОЙ СИЛОВИКОВ. ТУПИКИ СНГ |url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2006/03/20/29800-batka-pod-krysoy-silovikov |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Новая газета |date=19 March 2006 |language=ru}}</ref> The statement would later become famous, as he was nicknamed the "rat catcher" by the opposition, and Belarusian opposition activists would repeat the statement for its "absurdity" and became a meme.<ref>{{cite news |title="Лукашенко одержал победу над слабым Медведевым": Белоруссия за неделю |url=https://regnum.ru/article/1357625?ysclid=mboaplx595724483045 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Regnum |date=16 December 2010 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Киса и крыса. Президент Беларуси отправил в отставку министра внутренних дел республики |url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2009/04/08/43249-kisa-i-krysa?ysclid=mboapnfbn9532601067 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Новая газета |date=7 April 2009 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Бывший председатель КГБ Степан Сухоренко устроился на работу в Банк развития {{!}} Новости Беларуси {{!}} euroradio.fm |url=https://euroradio.fm/ru/byvshiy-predsedatel-kgb-stepan-suhorenko-ustroilsya-na-rabotu-v-bank-razvitiya |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Euro Radio |date=18 February 2017 |language=ru}}</ref> After the election, on 22 March, the Minsk Prosecutor's Office brought charges against the organization "Partnership", after Sukhorenko's KGB detained the leaders in February for allegedly preparing a seizure of power under Article 193.<ref name="s6">{{cite news |title=«Салідарнасьць»: Выбары прайшлі, і 74 тэрарыстычныя арганізацыі бясьсьледна зьніклі |url=https://nashaniva.com/993 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Наша Ніва |date=22 March 2006 |language=be}}</ref> The opposition said the evidence was planted by the KGB.<ref name="s6" />

=== Post-revolution === On 17 July 2007, he was dismissed as Lukashenko stated he had "attempted to pursue his own interests in the economy", although Lukashenko later stated it was because he was transitioning to another position.<ref name="nash2">{{cite news |title=Як склаліся лёсы былых кіраўнікоў КДБ |url=https://nashaniva.com/332563 |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Наша Ніва |date=7 January 2024 |language=be}}</ref> At first, sources reported he was being sent to Pishchalauski Castle, and later to a pre-trial center on Valadarski Street.<ref name="nash2" /> It was also suggested he was dismissed because of reports about the beating of the Chairman of the State Control Committee, Zianon Lomać, amid an alleged dispute between the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.<ref name="gaz">{{cite news |title=Степан Сухоренко: "Ну дали кому-то в глаз, что здесь такого?" |url=https://gazetaby.com/post/stepan-suxorenko-nu-dali-komu-to-v-glaz-chto-zdes-takogo/7635/ |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=Gazetaby |date=26 July 2007}}</ref> However, Sukhorenko officially stated he was on vacation to his parents' home outside of Minsk with his family.<ref name="gaz" />

=== Ambassador to Armenia === On 14 August 2008, after his absence, he was appointed the Ambassador of Belarus to Armenia replacing Marina Dolgopolova.<ref>{{cite web |title=Законодательство Республики Беларусь – Normativka.by |url=https://normativka.by/lib/document/500059404?ysclid=mbr9xinj6w229764354 |website=normativka.by |access-date=11 June 2025}}</ref> He also helped to organize the manufacturing of Belarusian agricultural machinery, a main product of Belarus, in Armenia for Armenian industrial enterprises and set up a center there for manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarus is willing to organize manufacturing of agricultural machinery in Armenia: Ambassador |url=https://armenpress.am/en/article/741392 |website=Armenpress |access-date=11 June 2025 |language=en |date=25 November 2013}}</ref> Vice versa, Armenia agreed to open up a bottling plant for cognacs in Belarus.<ref name="ints">{{cite news |title=Развитие наших взаимоотношений отвечает долгосрочным интересам Беларуси и Армении: Степан Сухаренко |url=https://panarmenian.net/rus/interviews/113732/?ysclid=mbra1hfrqx368887632 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=PanARMENIAN |date=27 June 2012}}</ref> In 2013 he got the two countries to sign an agreement on cooperation in the operation of nuclear power plants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Армения и Белоруссия подпишут соглашение о сотрудничестве в сфере ядерной энергетики |url=https://rus.azatutyun.am/a/25011128.html |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=Радио Свобода |date=8 June 2013 |language=ru}}</ref>

During the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, he stated that Belarus has good relations with both countries and that the parties needed to look for a way to find a solution.<ref name="ints" /> However, he came into tension with the government of Armenia following a 2013 meeting where President Alexander Lukashenko stated that in order to accept Armenia into the Customs Union, Azerbaijan's opinion would be needed because of unresolved territorial issues.<ref name="a1">{{cite news |title=Бывший глава КГБ оправдывался за Лукашенко |url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2013/10/29/78640/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=Charter97 |date=29 October 2013 |language=ru}}</ref> He responded by stating that Lukashenko's full speech helped clarify that the country was not against Armenia or its accession to the Customs Union.<ref name="a1" /> The relatively neutral attitude that Sukhorenko had towards Armenia was disapproved of by the government of Azerbaijan, particularly Edward Nalbandian, who said that Armenia did not need to be in the Customs Union and stated the government of Armenia was fractured.<ref>{{cite news |title=Армения вбивает клин между Лукашенко и Алиевым |url=https://haqqin.az/news/20885?ysclid=mbrals3ezc907283362 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=Haqqin |date=22 April 2014}}</ref> He also commented on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stating that Armenia had not made an official request to consider the resolution in the United Nations on the genocide, and if such a request is received then they would consider whether to recognize it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Официальный Ереван в ожидании «эффекта домино» » "СНГ СЕГОДНЯ" - последние новости стран СНГ читайте на SNG.TODAY |url=https://sng.today/platon/2066-oficialnyy-erevan-v-ozhidanii-effekta-domino.html |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=СНГ СЕГОДНЯ |date=1 March 2017}}</ref>

In April 2015 he became Dean of the diplomatic corps in Armenia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Посол Беларуси Сухоренко С.Н. принял функции дуайена дипломатического корпуса в Республике Армения |url=http://armenia.mfa.gov.by/ru/embassy/news/cd94fc7fb7653aac.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708032850/http://armenia.mfa.gov.by/ru/embassy/news/cd94fc7fb7653aac.html |access-date=12 June 2025|archive-date=8 July 2020 }}</ref> On 25 July 2015 he was dismissed from the post.<ref>{{cite news |title=Бывший глава КГБ Сухоренко уволен с должности посла в Армении |url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2015/6/25/157094/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |work=Charter97 |date=25 July 2015 |language=ru}}</ref> He was succeeded by Igor Nazaruk.<ref>{{cite news |title=Степан Сухоренко освобожден от должности посла в Армении после семи лет работы |url=https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=151898&lang=ru&ysclid=mbra1pc4rl363008877 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=Наша Ніва |date=25 June 2015 |language=ru}}</ref>

=== Post-ambassadorship === In 2017, he started working as head of the security and information protection department at the Development Bank but resigned the following summer in 2018.<ref name="nash2" /> He joined the bank on the invitation of Sergei Rumas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Экс-глава КГБ Степан Сухоренко устроился в Банк развития |url=https://udf.by/news/society/152622-eks-glava-kgb-stepan-suhorenko-ustroilsya-v-bank-razvitiya.html |access-date=12 June 2025 |work=UDF.BY |date=18 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706204616/https://udf.by/news/society/152622-eks-glava-kgb-stepan-suhorenko-ustroilsya-v-bank-razvitiya.html |archive-date=6 July 2020 |language=ru}}</ref> What Sukhorenko has done since then is unknown.<ref name="nash2" />

== Personal life == In November 2018 he started renting a college in Drazdy for $3,500 a month.<ref name="cot">{{cite news |title=Экс-глава КГБ Сухоренко сдает коттедж в Дроздах за $3500 в месяц |url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2018/11/15/312868/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |work=Charter97 |date=15 November 2018 |language=ru}}</ref> The cottage is 285 square meters, but officially belongs to Sukhorenko's daughter after he transferred the property to her during construction.<ref name="cot" /> He has a daughter, Tatyana, and a son named Andrei who is a representative of Belarus in the office of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.<ref name="cot" />

== Honours and awards == * Medal for Meritorious Service, II Degree (Belarus; 2000)<ref>{{cite web |title=Аб узнагароджаннi групы ваеннаслужачых, асоб начальнiцкага складу органаў унутраных спраў i прыраўнаваных да iх асоб медалём "За бездакорную службу" I, II, III ступенi - Законодательство Беларуси |url=http://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby09/sbor56/text56997.htm |website=pravo.levonevsky.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718132224/http://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby09/sbor56/text56997.htm |access-date=12 June 2025|archive-date=18 July 2012 }}</ref> * Certificate of Merit of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus (2002)<ref>{{cite web |title=О награждении С.Н.Сухоренко Почетной грамотой Национального собрания Республики Беларусь - Законодательство Беларуси |url=https://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby09/sbor44/text44393.htm |website=pravo.levonevsky.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908112959/https://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby09/sbor44/text44393.htm |access-date=12 June 2025|archive-date=8 September 2012 }}</ref>

== International sanctions == He is included on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List by the United States as someone strongly involved with the Belarusian regime.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sanctions List Search |url=https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=9766 |website=sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> In addition, in 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush extended financial sanctions against Sukhorenko as a top official in Belarus, and approved arresting any bank accounts and property in the United States that he might have for undermining democratic processes.<ref>{{cite news |title=США продлили санкции против белорусских чиновников |url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/politic/2007/06/15/ic_articles_112_151427 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=Naviny |date=15 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719030442/http://naviny.by/rubrics/politic/2007/06/15/ic_articles_112_151427 |archive-date=19 July 2017 }}</ref> In 2011 he was also included on the European Union sanctions following the 2010 Belarusian presidential election and forceful reprisal against the subsequent 2010 Belarusian protests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rialachán cur chun feidhme - 84/2011 - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/GA/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R0084 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sukhorenko, Stepan}} Category:Ambassadors of Belarus to Armenia Category:Living people Category:1957 births Category:People from Svyetlahorsk district Category:Chairmen of the KGB of Belarus Category:People of the KGB of Belarus