Lawyer’s extremism charge trial begins in Minsk
January 16, BPN. Lawyer Vital Brahiniec went on trial in the Minsk City Court on January 16, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
The prosecutor accused him of creating an extremist group, calling on supporters to undermine Belarus’ national security, inciting hatred and organizing disturbances. Belarusian human rights groups said these charges were politically motivated.
The Committee for State Security (KGB) agents arrested the Brahiniec and Partners founder outside his Minsk home on May 23.
Brahiniec’s clients included Viasna’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Aleś Bialacki.
He also defended fellow lawyer Andrej Mačałaŭ, but the arrest prevented him from getting the job done. On June 16, Mačałaŭ was sentenced to two years of restricted freedom, a type of home confinement, for using forged documents, a charge that he denied.
A total of six lawyers have been declared political prisoners by Belarusian rights groups.
Since the beginning of 2021, the Ministry of Justice has revoked the licenses of at least 60 counsellors. About 100 law offices were shut down, and about 400 individual lawyers stopped practicing law.
Pressure on the legal profession mounted after the 2020 election campaign. Lawyers virtually lost independence: since 2021, they can only work in legal consultancies, the heads of which are appointed in coordination with the justice ministry. In 2022, the powers of their superiors were expanded.
Alaksandr Łukašenka says lawyers should be “under control.”
- Economy
- EconomyBelarus’ car sales fall in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUkraine sets up directorate for unfriendly states, including BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsProgram of New Belarus conferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTwo Belarusians arrested in Batumi, accused of drug possessionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Volunteer fighter's brother has not filed appeal against sentenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: cancer patient endures brutal detentionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMemorial for Belarusian poet Łarysa Hienijuš canceled amid pro-Russian backlashThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityPoland reports “extremely aggressive” behavior by migrants at Belarus’ borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyAnother MAZ bus catches fire in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- EconomyProlonged cold spells harm Belarus’ agricultureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights activists report spike in prosecutions over 2020 protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBelarus worst-performing in eradicating torture for sixth consecutive yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat rails against “digital colonialism” at BRICS summitThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: agents attempt to infiltrate Cichanoŭski’s teamThe material is available only to POZIRK+