European Court of Justice rejects two more appeals by Belarusian officials

May 31, BPN. On May 24, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg rejected lawsuits filed by two Belarusian officials protesting their inclusion in the EU sanctions list over human rights abuses.

MP Aleh Hajdukievič and Siarhiej Husačenka, deputy CEO of the Belarusian Television and Radio Company, argued that the EU sanctions implied collective responsibility and punishment.

The ECJ rejected these claims noting that Hajdukievič had publicly approved the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk two years ago, which led to the arrest of journalist Raman Pratasievič and opposition activist Sofia Sapega. At that time, the MP served as deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs.

Hajdukievič’s public calls to abduct exiled leaders of the Belarusian opposition show his support for the crackdown on Belarusian regime critics and journalists, the court noted.

Husačenka, a propaganda show host, knowingly provided the Belarusian public with false information about the election results, protests and politically-motivated persecution, the court ruling says. He bears direct responsibility for the way the state-run TV misinterprets the news, it noted.

The ECJ also ordered Hajdukievič and Husačenka to pay all suit-related litigation fees to the Council of the European Union.

Last week, the ECJ also dismissed lawsuits by Belarusian MPs Śviatłana Lubieckaja and Alaksandr Amieljaniuk.