Crackdown on lawyers in Minsk, two in custody

February 29, Pozirk. The Committee for State Security (KGB) conducted “a raid on lawyers” in Minsk yesterday, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

At least 12 lawyers were arrested, the center said. Most of them have been released, but two remain in custody.

Minsk ratcheted up pressure on lawyers after a disputed presidential election.

Alaksandar Łukašenka said the Bar should act “based on the norms of law, not on some made-up norms like freedom of speech and other freedoms.”

The government requires attorneys to work in legal consultancy offices approved by the justice ministry.

Lawyers often faced criminal charges in politically-motivated cases. Six lawyers are political prisoners. Some attorneys have fled the country for fear of reprisals.

The number of lawyers has decreased from 2,200 to 1,650 since the beginning of 2020, according to the Prava na Abaronu (Right to Defense) project.