Four more lawyers lose licenses amid post-election crackdown

May 31, BPN. The Ministry of Justice has revoked the licenses of four more lawyers, bringing the total number of disbarred lawyers to at least 63 since the 2020 presidential election.

The ministry said they failed an extraordinary attestation because of misdemeanors incompatible with their profession.

The Viasna Human Rights Center said one of them, Juryj Kozikaŭ, was related to Maksim Znak, a political prisoner and lawyer himself. Another one, Arciom Siamjanaŭ, represented Viasna’s deputy head Valancin Stefanovič.

The government has tightened its control over the bar, requiring lawyers to work in legal consultancy offices approved by the ministry. Some lawyers have faced criminal charges or fled the country.

Alaksandr Łukašenka has said the bar should act by the law, not by “freedom of speech and other freedoms.”