May 31, Pozirk. The Committee for State Security (KGB) continues a crackdown on lawyers in Homiel and the region, a source familiar with the matter told Pozirk.
According to him, two raids have taken place, resulting in dismissals, unscheduled bar examinations and criminal and administrative cases.
The KGB conducted the first raid at legal consultancies on May 23. Six days later, agents came to those who had been missing at their workplaces that day. “They inquired about attitudes towards the government, checked phones and held interviews,” the source said.
According to another source, a Homiel resident, at least three experienced lawyers have resigned and the number may rise. At least one lawyer has been sent for a bar examination.
The raids on district consultancies in the Homiel region resulted in two administrative cases against lawyers. They were reportedly accused of subscribing to extremist social media accounts.
Earlier, criminal cases were brought against three Homiel attorneys. The charges ranged from disturbing public order to supporting extremism.
