Opposition’s defense chief, analysts among those stripped of ranks by Łukašenka

September 21, BPN. The National Legal Internet Portal has published Alaksandr Łukašenka’s edict that stripped 83 persons of their military and civil ranks and related benefits, including pension.

It has come into force on the publication.

The list includes Valer Sachaščyk, currently in charge of defense and national security in opposition’s transition cabinet; his son Alaksandr; military expert Jahor Lebiadok; security expert Andrej Parotnikaŭ; athlete Kryścina Cimanoŭskaja; and Dźmitryj Dźmitryjeŭ, former photographer of the independent newspaper Novy Čas.

Aleh Talerčyk, former employee of Prosecutor General’s Office, currently representing the BYPOL association of former security forces, lost his rank of justice counsel.

ByPol described the edict as a “favorite element of public intimidation” and “another act of revenge by the ambitious dictator.”

Jaŭhien Babak and Natalla Łašč, former prosecutors, are also on the list. Babak is serving a four-year prison term for participating in protests and social media posts. Łašč, arrested in August, allegedly shared information about her colleagues’ private lives.

Łukašenka had signed a similar edict in May 2021, stripping 86 people of their ranks and related benefits, including BYPOL head Alaksandar Azaraŭ, opposition activist Uładzimir Baradač, United Civic Party leader Mikałaj Kazłoŭ and others.