Disbarred lawyer sentenced to two years of restricted freedom

June 16, BPN. Judge Taććana Šocik of the Leninski District Court of Minsk has sentenced disbarred lawyer Andrej Mačałaŭ to two years of restricted freedom in an open-type correctional facility on charges of forgery, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

People sentenced to restricted freedom with referral to an open-type correctional facility live in barracks and are required to find a job in the location. They are allowed to leave the facility for work only.

Mačałaŭ was disbarred in 2021 during the proceedings against his client Volha Sinialova, a woman sentenced to two years of restricted freedom for refusing to rent an apartment to assistant prosecutor Alina Kaśjančyk whose name is associated with high-profile trials widely seen as politically motivated. A month later, Judge Anžeła Kaśćukievič, also known for sentences to Naša Niva journalists, accused Mačałaŭ of presenting invalid documents to the court.

Mačałaŭ has defended prominent figures, including journalist Kaciaryna Barysevič and Volha Załatar, a political activist and a mother of five.