Expulsion from the Bar by decision of the Disciplinary Commission of the Territorial Bar Association (Council of the Territorial Bar Association)
Updated on 07/02/2024
Nota Bene
The article provides information about some of the lawyers who are subjected to pressure and repression, namely those prosecuted in criminal cases.
The main article with all types of persecution and a complete list of lawyers subjected to repression can be found here
The main article with all types of persecution and a complete list of lawyers subjected to repression can be found here
Information on other groups of barristers who have been disqualified from the profession can be found at the following addresses:
- Lawyers subjected to criminal prosecution
- Lawyers deprived of licenses due to misconduct inconsistent with the title of lawyer
- Lawyers deprived of the right to a profession based on the results of attestation / re-attestation by the qualification commission
The material is regularly updated, the date is indicated above. If we missed someone, then please write to us - defendersbelarus@protonmail.com
- Lawyers subjected to criminal prosecution
- Lawyers deprived of licenses due to misconduct inconsistent with the title of lawyer
- Lawyers deprived of the right to a profession based on the results of attestation / re-attestation by the qualification commission
The material is regularly updated, the date is indicated above. If we missed someone, then please write to us - defendersbelarus@protonmail.com
Who is included in the list
The exclusion of a lawyer from the territorial board is an independent disciplinary punishment, which is provided for in the law along with a warning and a reprimand.
Since 2021, this procedure has been increasingly initiated by the Minister of Justice, who, having received certain materials (the source of which is often not disclosed), initiates disciplinary proceedings and removes the lawyer from performing professional duties (he has such authority under the Law on the Bar). As a rule, in the order of the minister, the commission of a disciplinary offense by a lawyer is already stated as an established fact. This order is sent for consideration to the territorial board, which in practice does not at all try to figure out whether there was a violation or not, and simply brings the lawyer to disciplinary responsibility in the form of exclusion from the board.
Lawyers deprived of their status as a result of expulsion from the territorial bar association by the disciplinary body of the bar when:
• the circumstances of the expulsion indicate that the disciplinary body did not act independently
• and/or the disciplinary procedure violated fair trial guarantees
• and/or a lawyer is deprived of his status for the lawful exercise of professional activity, his human rights (freedom of expression, assembly),
• the disciplinary body has abused the Rules of professional ethics, considering as an ethical violation actions that are not such,
• or the penalty is disproportionate.
Conclusions about biased and unfair application of disciplinary measures are made on the basis of information from open sources, as well as on the basis of information sent to the project.
Since 2021, this procedure has been increasingly initiated by the Minister of Justice, who, having received certain materials (the source of which is often not disclosed), initiates disciplinary proceedings and removes the lawyer from performing professional duties (he has such authority under the Law on the Bar). As a rule, in the order of the minister, the commission of a disciplinary offense by a lawyer is already stated as an established fact. This order is sent for consideration to the territorial board, which in practice does not at all try to figure out whether there was a violation or not, and simply brings the lawyer to disciplinary responsibility in the form of exclusion from the board.
Lawyers deprived of their status as a result of expulsion from the territorial bar association by the disciplinary body of the bar when:
• the circumstances of the expulsion indicate that the disciplinary body did not act independently
• and/or the disciplinary procedure violated fair trial guarantees
• and/or a lawyer is deprived of his status for the lawful exercise of professional activity, his human rights (freedom of expression, assembly),
• the disciplinary body has abused the Rules of professional ethics, considering as an ethical violation actions that are not such,
• or the penalty is disproportionate.
Conclusions about biased and unfair application of disciplinary measures are made on the basis of information from open sources, as well as on the basis of information sent to the project.
Volodymyr Sozonchuk
Dmitry Laevsky
Ekaterina Zheltonoga
Valery Zvyagintsev
Alexey Telegin
Leonid Belsky
Natalia Matskevich
Evgeny Pylchenko
Dmitry Lozovik
Alexey Kerol
Elizaveta Matveeva
Natalya Nekrashevich
Alexey Nesterenko
Vladimir Borisov
Andrey Atamanchuk
Larisa AtamanchukIlona Zalutskaya
Andrey Mochalov
Julia Yurgilevich
Vladimir Angelsky
Victoria Gulkova
Alexander Emelianenko
Otari Zhukov
Mikhail Makarov
Anastasia Saganovich
Vitaly Braginets
Vladimir Pechersky
Andrey Komissarov
Andrey Nevedovsky
Egor Papkovsky
Tatyana Lishankova
Dmitry Pigul
Alexey Borodko
Alexander Gurinovich
Igor Stepanov
Victoria Pishchalova
Vladimir Saveliev
Yuri Kozikov
Artem Semyanov
Evgeniy Levkovich
Elena Holupko
Maxim Ageev
Igor Krot
Olga Nazarova
Stanislav Shostik
Alexander Danilevich
Anastasia Lazarenko
Dmitry Laevsky
Ekaterina Zheltonoga
Valery Zvyagintsev
Alexey Telegin
Leonid Belsky
Natalia Matskevich
Evgeny Pylchenko
Dmitry Lozovik
Alexey Kerol
Elizaveta Matveeva
Natalya Nekrashevich
Alexey Nesterenko
Vladimir Borisov
Andrey Atamanchuk
Larisa AtamanchukIlona Zalutskaya
Andrey Mochalov
Julia Yurgilevich
Vladimir Angelsky
Victoria Gulkova
Alexander Emelianenko
Otari Zhukov
Mikhail Makarov
Anastasia Saganovich
Vitaly Braginets
Vladimir Pechersky
Andrey Komissarov
Andrey Nevedovsky
Egor Papkovsky
Tatyana Lishankova
Dmitry Pigul
Alexey Borodko
Alexander Gurinovich
Igor Stepanov
Victoria Pishchalova
Vladimir Saveliev
Yuri Kozikov
Artem Semyanov
Evgeniy Levkovich
Elena Holupko
Maxim Ageev
Igor Krot
Olga Nazarova
Stanislav Shostik
Alexander Danilevich
Anastasia Lazarenko
Vladimir Sozonchuk
On February 17, 2021, by order of the Minister of Justice disciplinary action was initiated against Vladimir Sozonchuk. On February 24, 2021, by the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association the attorney was subjected to disciplinary sanction in the form of exclusion from the Minsk City Bar Association for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer." The next day, the Minsk City Bar Association Council expelled Vladimir Sozonchuk from the Bar with the decision entering into force on 26.02.2021.
The reason for initiating disciplinary proceedings was a letter from Ivan Noskevich, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus, by which the Minister of Justice issued an order to initiate disciplinary proceedings on February 17, 2021.
The essence of the proceedings was the following: after being called in on February 11, 2021, by representatives of the investigative body (the central apparatus of the Investigative Committee) to conduct another investigative action with his client, Dmitry Kozlov, the attorney refused to sign a non-disclosure statement of the preliminary investigation, and, thereby, allegedly violated the Law on Advocacy (requirements in paras 2 and 3 of part 4 of Article 48 and Article 198 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as paras 4 and 5 of Part 2 of Article 43 and Article 46 of the Criminal Procedure Code).
On March 24, 2021, the Qualification Commission considered the issue of termination of Vladimir's license in connection with the disciplinary sanction consisting of his expulsion from the Minsk City Bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer. So, the attorney lost his right to the profession.
Vladimir defended Mikalai Statkevich and video blogger Dmitry Kozlov (owner of the "Seryi Kot" ("Grey Cat") YouTube channel), who were recognized as political prisoners.
The reason for initiating disciplinary proceedings was a letter from Ivan Noskevich, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus, by which the Minister of Justice issued an order to initiate disciplinary proceedings on February 17, 2021.
The essence of the proceedings was the following: after being called in on February 11, 2021, by representatives of the investigative body (the central apparatus of the Investigative Committee) to conduct another investigative action with his client, Dmitry Kozlov, the attorney refused to sign a non-disclosure statement of the preliminary investigation, and, thereby, allegedly violated the Law on Advocacy (requirements in paras 2 and 3 of part 4 of Article 48 and Article 198 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as paras 4 and 5 of Part 2 of Article 43 and Article 46 of the Criminal Procedure Code).
On March 24, 2021, the Qualification Commission considered the issue of termination of Vladimir's license in connection with the disciplinary sanction consisting of his expulsion from the Minsk City Bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer. So, the attorney lost his right to the profession.
Vladimir defended Mikalai Statkevich and video blogger Dmitry Kozlov (owner of the "Seryi Kot" ("Grey Cat") YouTube channel), who were recognized as political prisoners.
Dmitry Laevsky
Dmitry was a lawyer and managing partner of the "Laevsky, Yulsky, and Partners" law firm (from July 2020 — Laevsky and Partners law firm). He was a member of the Minsk City Bar Association.
Since June 18, 2020, he had been defending presidential candidate Viktor Babaryka. Since September 9, 2020, he had been defending the lawyer Maxim Znak, who was the representative of the presidential candidate Viktor Babaryka and the head of the legal department of his election campaign headquarters.
As part of their defense campaign, Dmitry Laevsky publicly disputed the charges against them, declared their innocence and the unlawfulness of their persecution, and was repeatedly featured in the media in connection with the violation of their rights during the preliminary investigation. Dmitry spoke out in court proceedings, and also when appealing final sentences.
In the light of multiple violations of professional rights and repression against lawyers that began in 2020, Dmitry Laevsky took part in a number of publications, interviews and events on issues of the independence of the legal profession, ways to ensure proper conditions for advocacy and the rule of law. Together with his colleagues, he represented the interests of lawyer Aleksandr Pylchenko while appealing against the decision of the Ministry of Justice to terminate Aleksandr Pylchenko's lawyer's license. Since August 2020, he has been running a public Telegram channel about advocacy, judiciary and the right to defense.
On April 8, 2021, by the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, he was brought to disciplinary responsibility in the form of a reprimand. The reason was Dmitry Laevsky's post on social networks, in which he criticized the draft amendments to the Law on Advocacy in terms of restricting the rights of lawyers who worked in law firms. The disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association indicated as a disciplinary offense that "Dmitry Laevsky on March 11, 2021, posted on his Facebook page information containing incorrect and defamatory statements addressed to lawyers and heads of legal advice offices", by which allegedly violated the Rules of Professional Ethics.
On July 8, 2021, by the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, he was brought to disciplinary responsibility in the form of an exclusion from the Bar. The reason for the disciplinary proceedings was Laevsky's speech in the court pleadings in defense of Viktor Babaryka. In his speech, Dmitry expressed his legal position on innocence and asked to acquit not only Viktar Babaryka, but also other defendants, despite the fact that they pleaded guilty, and their defenders did not ask for acquittal. The disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association indicated that Dmitry "publicly assessed the speeches and legal positions of the defenders of other convicts in the criminal proceedings", which allegedly violated the Rules of Professional Ethics.
On July 9, 2021, by the decision of the Minsk City Bar Association Council, he was expelled from the Bar.
On August 17, 2021, by a decree of the Ministry of Justice, his lawyer's license was terminated.
On August 2, 2021, international professional organizations of lawyers, including the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe and Lawyers for Lawyers, spoke out in support of Dmitry Laevsky.
On December 10, 2021, Dmitry Laevsky received the CCBE Human Rights Award 2021.
Since June 18, 2020, he had been defending presidential candidate Viktor Babaryka. Since September 9, 2020, he had been defending the lawyer Maxim Znak, who was the representative of the presidential candidate Viktor Babaryka and the head of the legal department of his election campaign headquarters.
As part of their defense campaign, Dmitry Laevsky publicly disputed the charges against them, declared their innocence and the unlawfulness of their persecution, and was repeatedly featured in the media in connection with the violation of their rights during the preliminary investigation. Dmitry spoke out in court proceedings, and also when appealing final sentences.
In the light of multiple violations of professional rights and repression against lawyers that began in 2020, Dmitry Laevsky took part in a number of publications, interviews and events on issues of the independence of the legal profession, ways to ensure proper conditions for advocacy and the rule of law. Together with his colleagues, he represented the interests of lawyer Aleksandr Pylchenko while appealing against the decision of the Ministry of Justice to terminate Aleksandr Pylchenko's lawyer's license. Since August 2020, he has been running a public Telegram channel about advocacy, judiciary and the right to defense.
On April 8, 2021, by the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, he was brought to disciplinary responsibility in the form of a reprimand. The reason was Dmitry Laevsky's post on social networks, in which he criticized the draft amendments to the Law on Advocacy in terms of restricting the rights of lawyers who worked in law firms. The disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association indicated as a disciplinary offense that "Dmitry Laevsky on March 11, 2021, posted on his Facebook page information containing incorrect and defamatory statements addressed to lawyers and heads of legal advice offices", by which allegedly violated the Rules of Professional Ethics.
On July 8, 2021, by the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, he was brought to disciplinary responsibility in the form of an exclusion from the Bar. The reason for the disciplinary proceedings was Laevsky's speech in the court pleadings in defense of Viktor Babaryka. In his speech, Dmitry expressed his legal position on innocence and asked to acquit not only Viktar Babaryka, but also other defendants, despite the fact that they pleaded guilty, and their defenders did not ask for acquittal. The disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association indicated that Dmitry "publicly assessed the speeches and legal positions of the defenders of other convicts in the criminal proceedings", which allegedly violated the Rules of Professional Ethics.
On July 9, 2021, by the decision of the Minsk City Bar Association Council, he was expelled from the Bar.
On August 17, 2021, by a decree of the Ministry of Justice, his lawyer's license was terminated.
On August 2, 2021, international professional organizations of lawyers, including the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe and Lawyers for Lawyers, spoke out in support of Dmitry Laevsky.
On December 10, 2021, Dmitry Laevsky received the CCBE Human Rights Award 2021.
Ekaterina Zheltonoga
On July 14, 2021, the Qualification Commission considered materials on the termination of Ekaterina's license due to the expulsion of the lawyer from the Minsk City Bar Association for "systematic (two or more times within 12 months in a row) violation of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities."
Valery Zvyagintsev
On July 14, 2021, the Qualification Commission considered materials on the termination of Valery's license due to the expulsion of the lawyer from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer; the list of such offenses is provided by the Rules of Professional Ethics (commission of actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the legal profession).
Alexey Telegin
At the beginning of July 2021, the Ministry of Justice, by order of the First Deputy Minister, initiated disciplinary proceedings against Alexey for violating the rules of professional ethics of the lawyer by way of posting on social media. The order stated that the publications allegedly undermined the credibility of state authorities (in particular, the post of 30.08.2020 was titled "I have a dream" and referred to the future, describing the lawyer's ideas about the state and legal framework of Belarus). Disciplinary materials were transferred to the MRBA disciplinary commission.
By the decision of the MRBA disciplinary commission, the lawyer was reprimanded.
However, the Ministry of Justice did not agree with this decision, it re-initiated disciplinary proceedings and sent materials to the Belarusian Republican Bar Association.
On September 8, 2021, Alexey was disbarred under the decision of the MRBA Council for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer.
On September 30, 2021, the Ministry of Justice adopted a resolution on the termination of his lawyer's license in connection with the exclusion from the territorial Bar.
By the decision of the MRBA disciplinary commission, the lawyer was reprimanded.
However, the Ministry of Justice did not agree with this decision, it re-initiated disciplinary proceedings and sent materials to the Belarusian Republican Bar Association.
On September 8, 2021, Alexey was disbarred under the decision of the MRBA Council for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer.
On September 30, 2021, the Ministry of Justice adopted a resolution on the termination of his lawyer's license in connection with the exclusion from the territorial Bar.
Leonid Belsky
On September 22, 2021, the Ministry of Justice terminated Leonid's license in connection with the disciplinary sanction in the form of expulsion from the Gomel Regional Bar Association for a systematic (two or more times within 12 months in a row) violation of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities.
Natalia Matskevich
Natalia represented the interests of Viktar Babaryka, Mikalai Dziadok, Svetlana Alexievich, defendants in the White Legion case, Sergei Tikhanovsky.
On October 12, 2021, disciplinary proceedings were initiated by order of the Minister of Justice. In accordance with the order dated October 12, 2021, Natalia Matskevich was suspended from performing professional activities from October 13, 2021, due to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. On October 25, 2021, the Minsk City Bar Association disciplinary commission decided on a disciplinary sanction in the form of exclusion from the Bar. On November 25, 2021, the decision of the Qualification Commission on Advocacy under the Ministry of Justice was issued on the possibility of termination of her license.
On December 3, 2021, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus decided to terminate Natalia's lawyer's license.
On October 12, 2021, disciplinary proceedings were initiated by order of the Minister of Justice. In accordance with the order dated October 12, 2021, Natalia Matskevich was suspended from performing professional activities from October 13, 2021, due to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. On October 25, 2021, the Minsk City Bar Association disciplinary commission decided on a disciplinary sanction in the form of exclusion from the Bar. On November 25, 2021, the decision of the Qualification Commission on Advocacy under the Ministry of Justice was issued on the possibility of termination of her license.
On December 3, 2021, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus decided to terminate Natalia's lawyer's license.
Evgeny Pylchenko
On October 20, 2021, by order of the Ministry of Justice disciplinary proceedings against the lawyer defending Viktor Babaryka and Maxim Znak, Yevgeny Pylchenko, were initiated. By the same order, Evgeny was suspended from legal practice.
On the evening of October 28, a session of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association took place. The commission decided to disbar the lawyer for systematic violations of the Law on Advocacy.
On the evening of October 28, a session of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association took place. The commission decided to disbar the lawyer for systematic violations of the Law on Advocacy.
Dmitry Lozovik
Lawyer Dmitry Lozovik was called in for the Qualification Commission on August 11, 2021, to undergo the certification procedure, but did not show up. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the lawyer for the failure to be present at the attestation; Dmitry was reprimanded. On August 13, a search was carried out at the place of his registration within the criminal investigation in which Dmitry Lozovik was a defender.
On December 3, 2021, the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate his license from December 7, 2021. The reason was the application of the disciplinary sanction in the form of expulsion from the Minsk City Bar Association for systematic (2 or more times within 12 months) non-payment of fees.
Currently located outside Belarus. Dmitry Lozovik defended the political prisoner, philosopher Vladimir Matskevich.
On December 3, 2021, the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate his license from December 7, 2021. The reason was the application of the disciplinary sanction in the form of expulsion from the Minsk City Bar Association for systematic (2 or more times within 12 months) non-payment of fees.
Currently located outside Belarus. Dmitry Lozovik defended the political prisoner, philosopher Vladimir Matskevich.
Aleksey Kerol
Ex-lawyer at the Minsk legal advice office specializing in civil and economic law; was expelled from the Minsk City Bar Association on November 4, 2021, for committing disciplinary misconduct (consisting in the commitment of an administrative offense) incompatible with the title of a lawyer.
The basis for the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, adopted on November 3, 2021, was the lawyer's administrative liability under Art. 24.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (in the previous version — Art. 23.34) to which he was subjected in November 2020.
Aleksey was also a defense lawyer in administrative proceedings initiated against protestors.
The basis for the decision of the disciplinary commission of the Minsk City Bar Association, adopted on November 3, 2021, was the lawyer's administrative liability under Art. 24.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (in the previous version — Art. 23.34) to which he was subjected in November 2020.
Aleksey was also a defense lawyer in administrative proceedings initiated against protestors.
Elizaveta Matveeva
Elizaveta defended political prisoners (journalist Gennady Mozheiko, philosopher Vladimir Matskevich, T*T.BY employee Anna Lopatko, journalist Irina Slavnikova).
In November 2021, due to the initiative of Nikolai Starovoitov, Deputy Minister of Justice, Elizaveta Matveeva was subjected to an extraordinary certification. The lawyer did not agree with this initiative, because, according to the instruction on the procedure for conducting extraordinary certification valid at that time, the grounds for such certification were facts of poor qualification, which could be divided into facts of violation of professional duties or two or more complaints about violation of the law.
On December 13, the attorney found out that on December 7, 2021, by order of the Minister of Justice, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her due to her failure to show up for the certification, as well as her suspension from professional activities, while on December 8, 9, and 10 the lawyer carried out her professional duties: she went to court, visited clients in jail.
By the decision of the Council of the Minsk City Bar Association of December 22, 2021, she was brought to disciplinary responsibility for the systematic violations of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities; she was expelled from the Minsk City Bar Association.
In November 2021, due to the initiative of Nikolai Starovoitov, Deputy Minister of Justice, Elizaveta Matveeva was subjected to an extraordinary certification. The lawyer did not agree with this initiative, because, according to the instruction on the procedure for conducting extraordinary certification valid at that time, the grounds for such certification were facts of poor qualification, which could be divided into facts of violation of professional duties or two or more complaints about violation of the law.
On December 13, the attorney found out that on December 7, 2021, by order of the Minister of Justice, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her due to her failure to show up for the certification, as well as her suspension from professional activities, while on December 8, 9, and 10 the lawyer carried out her professional duties: she went to court, visited clients in jail.
By the decision of the Council of the Minsk City Bar Association of December 22, 2021, she was brought to disciplinary responsibility for the systematic violations of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities; she was expelled from the Minsk City Bar Association.
Natalia Nekrashevich
Natalia has been practicing law individually since 2013 within the Minsk City Bar Association; since September 1st, 2021 she has been practicing within the Legal Advice Office of the Frunzensky district of Minsk.
On August 12, 2021, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus Nikolai Starovoitov issued a proposal to conduct an extraordinary attestation in relation to Natalia. The reason for the proposal was a letter received by the Ministry of Justice from the Presidential Administration in connection with one of the defendants in the politically motivated criminal case.
In October 2021, the lawyer filed a petition for a pardon for the defendant, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison under Art. 342 and Art. 364 of the Criminal Code, to the Pardon Commission of the Presidential Administration, and sent an inquiry as to the day of consideration of the application. These facts were considered an "improper performance of professional duties."
On December 23, 2021, a session of the Qualification Commission on Advocacy took place, when an extraordinary attestation of Natalia was carried out. Based on its results, the decision was made on the impossibility to carry out her professional activities due to poor expertise.
On January 20, 2022, the Council of the Minsk City Bar Association issued a resolution on the expulsion of the lawyer from the Minsk City Bar Association from January 24, 2022 due to the impossibility of the lawyer to perform her professional duties because of poor expertise, confirmed by the decision of the Qualification Commission.
On August 12, 2021, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus Nikolai Starovoitov issued a proposal to conduct an extraordinary attestation in relation to Natalia. The reason for the proposal was a letter received by the Ministry of Justice from the Presidential Administration in connection with one of the defendants in the politically motivated criminal case.
In October 2021, the lawyer filed a petition for a pardon for the defendant, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison under Art. 342 and Art. 364 of the Criminal Code, to the Pardon Commission of the Presidential Administration, and sent an inquiry as to the day of consideration of the application. These facts were considered an "improper performance of professional duties."
On December 23, 2021, a session of the Qualification Commission on Advocacy took place, when an extraordinary attestation of Natalia was carried out. Based on its results, the decision was made on the impossibility to carry out her professional activities due to poor expertise.
On January 20, 2022, the Council of the Minsk City Bar Association issued a resolution on the expulsion of the lawyer from the Minsk City Bar Association from January 24, 2022 due to the impossibility of the lawyer to perform her professional duties because of poor expertise, confirmed by the decision of the Qualification Commission.
Alexey Nesterenko
During his arrest, lawyer Aleksey Nesterenko was severely beaten. This became known from the words of one of the cellmates of the lawyer and the detained A1 press secretary Nikolai Bredelev.
"As far as I know, Nikolai Bredelev and his friend, Alexey, were brutally detained together. They were beaten, the devices were broken in the apartment. The lawyer was completely blue: his legs, lower back, and his eyes were bruised."
After his arrest, Alexey was subjected to administrative detention for 30 days. The reasons for the detention and alleged offenses are unknown.
On February 24, 2022, the Qualification Commission considered the termination of his license in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him in the form of exclusion from the territorial Bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer.
"As far as I know, Nikolai Bredelev and his friend, Alexey, were brutally detained together. They were beaten, the devices were broken in the apartment. The lawyer was completely blue: his legs, lower back, and his eyes were bruised."
After his arrest, Alexey was subjected to administrative detention for 30 days. The reasons for the detention and alleged offenses are unknown.
On February 24, 2022, the Qualification Commission considered the termination of his license in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him in the form of exclusion from the territorial Bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Vladimir Borisov
On September 6, 2022, the Qualification Commission under the Ministry of Justice held an extraordinary attestation of lawyers, including four attorneys from the Gomel Regional Bar Association.
The Qualification Commission decided on terminating Vladimir's license in connection with the disciplinary sanction appointed to him by the council of the Vitebsk Regional Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the Bar for systematic (two or more times within 12 consecutive months) violations of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities.
The Qualification Commission decided on terminating Vladimir's license in connection with the disciplinary sanction appointed to him by the council of the Vitebsk Regional Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the Bar for systematic (two or more times within 12 consecutive months) violations of legal requirements and conditions for carrying out legal activities.
Andrey Atamanchuk
On May 19, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus conducted ordinary and extraordinary certification of lawyers.
The Qualification Commission terminated Andrey's license in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of an exclusion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing misconduct incompatible with the title of a lawyer.
Atamanchuk Andrei Nikolaevich carried out advocacy in the Minsk Regional Legal Advice Office No. 3 of the Minsk Regional Bar Association.
On March 31, 2022, in the house where Andrei Atamanchuk lived with his wife (who was also a lawyer at legal advice office No. 3 of the Minsk Regional Bar Association), KGB officers for Minsk and the Minsk region conducted a search. As a result of the search, nothing illegal was found, but a smartphone and a hard drive containing only information constituting legal professional privilege were confiscated. After the search, Andrei Atamanchuk was taken to the KGB department of Minsk and the Minsk region for interrogation, and then to the Borovlyany police department of the Minsk District Department of Internal Affairs, where an administrative protocol was drawn up against him for disobeying the employees of the Borovlyany police department.
By the decision of the Minsk District Court dated April 1, 2022, Andrey Atamanchuk was subjected to an administrative penalty in the form of 15 days of administrative arrest under Art. 24.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, and then by the decision of the same court dated April 13, 2022, once again subjected to an administrative penalty in the form of 15 days of administrative arrest under Part 2 of Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
By the decision of the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association dated May 10, 2022, Andrei Atamanchuk was brought to disciplinary responsibility and expelled from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer. On the basis of this decision, the license for the right to practice was terminated.
After the events of August 2020, Andrey Atamanchuk took an active part as a defender in more than 30 politically motivated administrative cases. He also participated as a defender in more than 10 politically motivated criminal cases, both at the stage of preliminary investigation and in court. Defended persons recognized as political prisoners. His clients were Alexander Raentov (verdict of the court of the Frunzensky district of Minsk dated May 17, 2021 under part 1 of article 342, part 2 of article 363 of the Criminal Code), Andrey Okushko (verdicts of the court of the Frunzensky district dated March 12, 2022 until Article 368 of the Criminal Code and dated December 27, 2021 under Article 369 and Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code), Andrei Ariko (verdict of the Stolbtsovsky District Court dated January 31, 2022 under Part 6 of Article 16, Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code)
The Qualification Commission terminated Andrey's license in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of an exclusion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing misconduct incompatible with the title of a lawyer.
Atamanchuk Andrei Nikolaevich carried out advocacy in the Minsk Regional Legal Advice Office No. 3 of the Minsk Regional Bar Association.
On March 31, 2022, in the house where Andrei Atamanchuk lived with his wife (who was also a lawyer at legal advice office No. 3 of the Minsk Regional Bar Association), KGB officers for Minsk and the Minsk region conducted a search. As a result of the search, nothing illegal was found, but a smartphone and a hard drive containing only information constituting legal professional privilege were confiscated. After the search, Andrei Atamanchuk was taken to the KGB department of Minsk and the Minsk region for interrogation, and then to the Borovlyany police department of the Minsk District Department of Internal Affairs, where an administrative protocol was drawn up against him for disobeying the employees of the Borovlyany police department.
By the decision of the Minsk District Court dated April 1, 2022, Andrey Atamanchuk was subjected to an administrative penalty in the form of 15 days of administrative arrest under Art. 24.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, and then by the decision of the same court dated April 13, 2022, once again subjected to an administrative penalty in the form of 15 days of administrative arrest under Part 2 of Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
By the decision of the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association dated May 10, 2022, Andrei Atamanchuk was brought to disciplinary responsibility and expelled from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer. On the basis of this decision, the license for the right to practice was terminated.
After the events of August 2020, Andrey Atamanchuk took an active part as a defender in more than 30 politically motivated administrative cases. He also participated as a defender in more than 10 politically motivated criminal cases, both at the stage of preliminary investigation and in court. Defended persons recognized as political prisoners. His clients were Alexander Raentov (verdict of the court of the Frunzensky district of Minsk dated May 17, 2021 under part 1 of article 342, part 2 of article 363 of the Criminal Code), Andrey Okushko (verdicts of the court of the Frunzensky district dated March 12, 2022 until Article 368 of the Criminal Code and dated December 27, 2021 under Article 369 and Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code), Andrei Ariko (verdict of the Stolbtsovsky District Court dated January 31, 2022 under Part 6 of Article 16, Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code)
Larisa Atamanchuk
On August 4, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy revoked the license of Larisa Atamanchuk due to the fact that a disciplinary sanction was applied to her in the form of expulsion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing misconduct incompatible with the title of a lawyer.
Larisa Atamanchuk defended Sergei Voznyak, a confidant of the 2010 presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev. After a protest in December 2010, he was charged with planning out group actions that violate public order, and sentenced to two years on probation.
In addition, at various times she represented the Belarusian Business Paper, journalist Tatyana Bublikova, photographer Vadim Zamirovsky and Yuri Aleinik, Nasha Niva author, who was expelled from the Academy of Public Administration for political reasons.
In 2017, Larisa was awarded the 2nd-degree badge of distinction of the Republican Bar Association "Ganarovy Advakat" for her impeccable work in the legal profession.
On March 31, 2022, the house, where Larisa Atamanchuk lived with her husband (Atamanchuk Andrey), was searched by KGB officers of Minsk and the Minsk region. After the search, the lawyer's husband was detained and arrested for 30 days.
Larisa Atamanchuk defended Sergei Voznyak, a confidant of the 2010 presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev. After a protest in December 2010, he was charged with planning out group actions that violate public order, and sentenced to two years on probation.
In addition, at various times she represented the Belarusian Business Paper, journalist Tatyana Bublikova, photographer Vadim Zamirovsky and Yuri Aleinik, Nasha Niva author, who was expelled from the Academy of Public Administration for political reasons.
In 2017, Larisa was awarded the 2nd-degree badge of distinction of the Republican Bar Association "Ganarovy Advakat" for her impeccable work in the legal profession.
On March 31, 2022, the house, where Larisa Atamanchuk lived with her husband (Atamanchuk Andrey), was searched by KGB officers of Minsk and the Minsk region. After the search, the lawyer's husband was detained and arrested for 30 days.
Ilona Zalutskaya
On August 4, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in Belarus revoked the license of Ilona Zalutskaya due to the fact that a disciplinary sanction was applied to her in the form of exclusion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for committing misconduct incompatible with the title of a lawyer.
Андрей Мочалов
On June 18, 2021, it became known that lawyer Andrei Mochalov was expelled from the Bar. The reason was the comment that he gave on the case of his client Olga Zolotar, who said that after her arrest, violence was used against her by law enforcement agencies. The disciplinary commission considered the lawyer's comment to be a violation of professional ethics. On May 27, 2021, the MRBA Disciplinary Commission issued a ruling to bring Mochalov to disciplinary liability. Since Mochalov did not receive any notification that the MRBA Council had made any decision on the basis of this ruling, he proceeded with his professional activities and on June 18 appeared in court to defend Olga Sineleva in a criminal case. During the proceeding, the court received a letter from the MRBA Council stating that on May 31 the Council decided to expel Mochalov from the Bar.
On June 16, 2022, the court of the Leninsky district of Minsk announced the verdict in the criminal case against the disbarred attorney. Judge Tatsiana Shotik found him guilty under part 1 of Article 380 of the Criminal Code — it is claimed that the lawyer had forged a warrant for participation in the criminal trial, although he allegedly knew that by that time he had been expelled from the Minsk Regional Bar Association. The former lawyer was sentenced, under the prosecutor's request, to two years with referral to an open-type correctional institution.
Mochalov's defender Vitaly Braginets has been under arrest since May 25, so he did not manage to get to any of his client's trials. The transcript of the entire process in the criminal case can be found at the link [written in Russian].
In 2020 and 2021 Andrei Mochalov defended independent media journalists, activists, and political prisoners in courts.
On June 16, 2022, the court of the Leninsky district of Minsk announced the verdict in the criminal case against the disbarred attorney. Judge Tatsiana Shotik found him guilty under part 1 of Article 380 of the Criminal Code — it is claimed that the lawyer had forged a warrant for participation in the criminal trial, although he allegedly knew that by that time he had been expelled from the Minsk Regional Bar Association. The former lawyer was sentenced, under the prosecutor's request, to two years with referral to an open-type correctional institution.
Mochalov's defender Vitaly Braginets has been under arrest since May 25, so he did not manage to get to any of his client's trials. The transcript of the entire process in the criminal case can be found at the link [written in Russian].
In 2020 and 2021 Andrei Mochalov defended independent media journalists, activists, and political prisoners in courts.
Yulia Yurgilevich
Attorney Yulia Yurgilevich was detained. According to mass media reports, her house in Grodno was searched.
In February 2022, lawyer Yulia Yurgilevich was expelled from the Grodno Bar Association. She defended political prisoners Ales Pushkin, Artem Boyarsky, Igor Bantser, Andrei Osievich, and Andrei Sokolovsky.
Andrey Skurat, the deputy prosecutor of the Grodno region, reportedly expressed doubts as to Yulia's expertise (the attorney has been working since 2004). He filed a complaint, which was admitted by the Council of the Grodno Regional Bar Association. The Council decided to expel Yurgilevich from the Bar "for unprofessionalism." For the previous 18 years of her work, there were no complaints about the work of the attorney.
Under the preliminary information, the attorney left Belarus in February but has now returned.
In February 2022, lawyer Yulia Yurgilevich was expelled from the Grodno Bar Association. She defended political prisoners Ales Pushkin, Artem Boyarsky, Igor Bantser, Andrei Osievich, and Andrei Sokolovsky.
Andrey Skurat, the deputy prosecutor of the Grodno region, reportedly expressed doubts as to Yulia's expertise (the attorney has been working since 2004). He filed a complaint, which was admitted by the Council of the Grodno Regional Bar Association. The Council decided to expel Yurgilevich from the Bar "for unprofessionalism." For the previous 18 years of her work, there were no complaints about the work of the attorney.
Under the preliminary information, the attorney left Belarus in February but has now returned.
Vladimir Angelsky
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the licenses in respect of Angelsky V.M. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association for misconduct incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Earlier, Vladimir Angelsky was arrested for 14 days. According to human rights activists, the administrative case of lawyer Vladimir Angelsky was heard in the court of the Moscow district of Minsk. Angelsky defended the interests of Vitaly Braginets, who was recognized as a political prisoner. Angelsky was detained on August 31, a protocol was drawn up under Art. 24.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (disobedience to an employee). At the trial, they interrogated a witness, a policeman, who was confused in his testimony.
As a result, Vladimir was found guilty of disobeying a law enforcement officer and arrested for 14 days.
Angelsky was a lawyer of the Minsk Regional Bar Association. He was a partner in the law firm Braginets and Partners, defended Braginets, who, in turn, defended Andrei Mochalov, who was accused of forging documents. At the moment, Mochalov has been sentenced to 2 years of chemotherapy, Braginets to 8 years.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the licenses in respect of Angelsky V.M. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association for misconduct incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Earlier, Vladimir Angelsky was arrested for 14 days. According to human rights activists, the administrative case of lawyer Vladimir Angelsky was heard in the court of the Moscow district of Minsk. Angelsky defended the interests of Vitaly Braginets, who was recognized as a political prisoner. Angelsky was detained on August 31, a protocol was drawn up under Art. 24.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (disobedience to an employee). At the trial, they interrogated a witness, a policeman, who was confused in his testimony.
As a result, Vladimir was found guilty of disobeying a law enforcement officer and arrested for 14 days.
Angelsky was a lawyer of the Minsk Regional Bar Association. He was a partner in the law firm Braginets and Partners, defended Braginets, who, in turn, defended Andrei Mochalov, who was accused of forging documents. At the moment, Mochalov has been sentenced to 2 years of chemotherapy, Braginets to 8 years.
Victoria Gulkova
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the licenses in respect of Gulkova V.A. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Victoria and her husband, Mikhail Makarov, were detained on September 13 and convicted by the Frunzensky District Court of Minsk under Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (dissemination of extremist materials) for 15 days. In a "repentant video" published on one of the pro-government Telegram channels, Victoria said that she was detained for reposting from the Telegram channel of human rights activists.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the licenses in respect of Gulkova V.A. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Victoria and her husband, Mikhail Makarov, were detained on September 13 and convicted by the Frunzensky District Court of Minsk under Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (dissemination of extremist materials) for 15 days. In a "repentant video" published on one of the pro-government Telegram channels, Victoria said that she was detained for reposting from the Telegram channel of human rights activists.
Alexander Emelianenko
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the certification, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Emelianenko A.A. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Based on the results of the certification, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Emelianenko A.A. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Otari Zhukov
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in relation to Otari Zhukov in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in relation to Otari Zhukov in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Mikhail Makarov
Lawyer Mikhail Makarov defended Nikita Dranets, a political prisoner in the Revolutionary Action case.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the lawyer handed over to "extremist" telegram channels the personal data of employees of the GUBOPiK, the Investigative Committee, the prosecutor's office and judges who considered the criminal case of Revolutionary Action (Article 407 of the Criminal Code).
He is also charged under article 342 of the Criminal Code (Active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Mikhail Makarov in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of expulsion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Sentenced to 1 year.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the lawyer handed over to "extremist" telegram channels the personal data of employees of the GUBOPiK, the Investigative Committee, the prosecutor's office and judges who considered the criminal case of Revolutionary Action (Article 407 of the Criminal Code).
He is also charged under article 342 of the Criminal Code (Active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order).
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Mikhail Makarov in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of expulsion from the territorial bar association "for committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Sentenced to 1 year.
Anastasia Saganovich
Lawyer Anastasia Saganovich defended political prisoners in the Revolutionary Action case; on September 13, 2022, she was detained and arrested for 15 days. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the lawyer handed over to "extremist" telegram channels the personal data of employees of the GUBOPiK, the Investigative Committee, the prosecutor's office and judges who considered the criminal case of "Revolutionary Action".
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Anastasia Saganovich in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of expulsion from the territorial bar association "for committing a misdemeanor incompatible with the title of lawyer."
On November 3, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy held the next attestation of lawyers.
Based on the results of the attestation, a decision was made on the possibility of terminating the license in respect of Anastasia Saganovich in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of expulsion from the territorial bar association "for committing a misdemeanor incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Виталий Брагинец
On Monday morning, May 23, 2022, KGB officers detained lawyer Vitaly Braginets, who was actively defending persons accused within politically motivated cases, including the criminal case of lawyer Andrei Mochalov. On May 25, 2022, his administrative case was considered in the Minsk Partizansky District Court (by judge N. Dedkova). As it turned out, a protocol was drafted against Vitaly stating that he was taken to the police department of the Partizansky district "for a check as to the involvement in protest activities", after which the attorney allegedly started cursing, screaming, trying to leave the police department, expressed disobedience to the lawful requests of a police officer (Article 24.3 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses).
The court considered the offense to be proven and sentenced Vitaly to administrative detention for 15 days.
When interviewing witnesses in court, Braginets' defender asked the witness: "You claim that Vitaly Braginets has tried to escape. Do you insist on it?", to which the witness replied: "Yes, because it was a movement, smoothly turning into a run, towards the open gate. And at the same time, the citizen was addressing those standing at the bus stop. He shouted that he was illegally detained."
It is noteworthy that the lawyer was brought to administrative responsibility prior to the court session, within which he was supposed to defend the attorney Andrey Mochalov, who was deprived of his status in 2021 and accused of using forged documents. As a result, on June 6, 2022, when the trial began, the court refused to postpone the hearing until the expiration of the detention period for Vitaly Braginets and forcibly appointed A. Mochalov a defense lawyer without consulting the accused (Mochalov) himself.
Braginets was supposed to serve his sentence and be released on the morning of June 7, but he was again brought to administrative responsibility with the appointment of administrative detention.
As it became known later, a criminal case was initiated against him, and as of September 2022, he remains in custody. In July 2022, Vitaly Braginets was declared a political prisoner.
On August 4, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus held the next attestation of lawyers of the Minsk City Bar Association. Based on the results of the certification, the Qualification Commission decided to terminate the license in respect of V.F. Braginets. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against lawyers in the form of expulsion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for misconduct incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Lawyer Vitaliy Braginets was sentenced to 8 years in a high-security regime:
under part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code - 1 year 6 months (active participation in actions that grossly violate public order).
under part 1 of Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code - 4 years (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it).
under part 3 of Art. 130 of the Criminal Code - 7 years (incitement of hostility).
under part 3 of Art. 361 of the Criminal Code - 5 years (call for sanctions)
For the totality of crimes, the total punishment was imposed in the form of 8 years of enhanced regime. The trial of lawyer Vitaly Braginets was closed.
The court considered the offense to be proven and sentenced Vitaly to administrative detention for 15 days.
When interviewing witnesses in court, Braginets' defender asked the witness: "You claim that Vitaly Braginets has tried to escape. Do you insist on it?", to which the witness replied: "Yes, because it was a movement, smoothly turning into a run, towards the open gate. And at the same time, the citizen was addressing those standing at the bus stop. He shouted that he was illegally detained."
It is noteworthy that the lawyer was brought to administrative responsibility prior to the court session, within which he was supposed to defend the attorney Andrey Mochalov, who was deprived of his status in 2021 and accused of using forged documents. As a result, on June 6, 2022, when the trial began, the court refused to postpone the hearing until the expiration of the detention period for Vitaly Braginets and forcibly appointed A. Mochalov a defense lawyer without consulting the accused (Mochalov) himself.
Braginets was supposed to serve his sentence and be released on the morning of June 7, but he was again brought to administrative responsibility with the appointment of administrative detention.
As it became known later, a criminal case was initiated against him, and as of September 2022, he remains in custody. In July 2022, Vitaly Braginets was declared a political prisoner.
On August 4, 2022, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus held the next attestation of lawyers of the Minsk City Bar Association. Based on the results of the certification, the Qualification Commission decided to terminate the license in respect of V.F. Braginets. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against lawyers in the form of expulsion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for misconduct incompatible with the title of lawyer.
Lawyer Vitaliy Braginets was sentenced to 8 years in a high-security regime:
under part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code - 1 year 6 months (active participation in actions that grossly violate public order).
under part 1 of Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code - 4 years (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it).
under part 3 of Art. 130 of the Criminal Code - 7 years (incitement of hostility).
under part 3 of Art. 361 of the Criminal Code - 5 years (call for sanctions)
For the totality of crimes, the total punishment was imposed in the form of 8 years of enhanced regime. The trial of lawyer Vitaly Braginets was closed.
Vladimir Pechersky
On December 1, 2022, based on the results of the certification, the Qualification Commission made a decision on the possibility of terminating the licenses in respect of Pechersky V.V. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to a lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
Andrey Komissarov
At the end of the year, it became known that on December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate the licenses issued to Andrey Gennadievich Komissarov from December 28, 2022 "in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of expulsion from the territorial bar association for committing misconduct incompatible with the title of a lawyer (commission of actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar), the list of which is established by the Rules of Professional Ethics of a Lawyer".
Andrey Nevedovsky
At the end of the year, it became known that on December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate the licenses issued to Andrey Nevedovsky from December 28, 2022 "in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association for committing misconduct, incompatible with the title of a lawyer (commission of actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar), the list of which is established by the Rules of Professional Ethics of a Lawyer.
Egor Papkovsky
At the end of the year, it became known that on December 28, 2022, the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate the licenses issued to Yegor Papkovsky from December 28, 2022 "in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to the lawyer in the form of exclusion from the territorial bar association for committing misconduct, incompatible with the title of a lawyer (commission of actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar), the list of which is established by the Rules of Professional Ethics of a Lawyer.
Tatyana Lishankova
On January 25, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus held the next attestation of lawyers of the Minsk Regional Bar Association.
Based on the results of the certification, the Qualification Commission decided on the possibility of terminating the license to practice law in relation to Lishankova Tatyana (lawyer for political prisoners Pavel Severinets, Pavel Vinogradov, Nasta Loyko, Andrey Chepyuk, Tatyana Vodolazhskaya, was detained by the GUBOPiK on November 29, 2022, the transcript can be found at the link transcripts of the process to bring her to administrative responsibility).
Based on the results of the certification, the Qualification Commission decided on the possibility of terminating the license to practice law in relation to Lishankova Tatyana (lawyer for political prisoners Pavel Severinets, Pavel Vinogradov, Nasta Loyko, Andrey Chepyuk, Tatyana Vodolazhskaya, was detained by the GUBOPiK on November 29, 2022, the transcript can be found at the link transcripts of the process to bring her to administrative responsibility).
Dmitry Pigul
According to human rights defenders, attorney Dmitry Pigul was arrested in Minsk on September 28th. In the evening, he was detained at his home by KGB officers. Presumably, Dmitry was charged under Art. 407 of the Criminal Code (disclosure of the preliminary investigation or a closed court session data). According to preliminary information, the attorney is currently in the KGB pre-trial detention center.
Dmitry was an attorney at the trial in the "Busly liaciać" case, the sentences in the latter were handed down the day before the attorney's detention (the upper threshold is 15 years in prison). Furthermore, he defended the political prisoner Elena Malinovskaya, who was convicted together with Anatoly Latushko (cousin of a Belarusian politician and diplomat Pavel Latushko).
On January 25, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus held the next attestation of lawyers of the Minsk Regional Bar Association. The Qualification Commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating Dmitry Pigul's licenses to practice law.
Dmitry was an attorney at the trial in the "Busly liaciać" case, the sentences in the latter were handed down the day before the attorney's detention (the upper threshold is 15 years in prison). Furthermore, he defended the political prisoner Elena Malinovskaya, who was convicted together with Anatoly Latushko (cousin of a Belarusian politician and diplomat Pavel Latushko).
On January 25, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus held the next attestation of lawyers of the Minsk Regional Bar Association. The Qualification Commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating Dmitry Pigul's licenses to practice law.
Alexey Borodko
According to human rights activists from April 2023, the lawyer was detained at the end of January 2023 and is being held in SIZO-1 on Volodarsky Street. Under what article Alexei is accused is unknown.
It is reported that after the detention, the lawyer's profile was removed from the Belarusian Republican Bar Association website.
On April 21, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus terminated the license to practice advocacy in relation to Borodko A.S. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of exclusion from the regional bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
It is reported that after the detention, the lawyer's profile was removed from the Belarusian Republican Bar Association website.
On April 21, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus terminated the license to practice advocacy in relation to Borodko A.S. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of exclusion from the regional bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
Alexander Gurinovich
On April 21, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus conducted the next attestation of lawyers of the Gomel, Grodno, Minsk regional and Minsk city bar associations. Based on the results of the attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in respect of A.I. Gurinovich. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of exclusion from the regional bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
Igor Stepanov
On April 21, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus conducted the next attestation of lawyers of the Gomel, Grodno, Minsk regional and Minsk city bar associations.
Based on the results of the attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in relation to Stepanov I.L. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of exclusion from the regional bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
March 6, 2023 Stepanov I.L. was expelled from the Vitebsk Regional Bar Association by the decision of its council as a disciplinary sanction for "committing a misdemeanor that discredits the title of a lawyer, the bar and is incompatible with the practice of law." Prior to that, in February 2023, the lawyer was detained, an administrative protocol was drawn up against him under Art. 19.11. Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus (dissemination of extremist materials) and was arrested for 15 days. The blame was placed on the page of the online store, included since August 2022 in the republican list of extremist materials.
Based on the results of the attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in relation to Stepanov I.L. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him in the form of exclusion from the regional bar for committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
March 6, 2023 Stepanov I.L. was expelled from the Vitebsk Regional Bar Association by the decision of its council as a disciplinary sanction for "committing a misdemeanor that discredits the title of a lawyer, the bar and is incompatible with the practice of law." Prior to that, in February 2023, the lawyer was detained, an administrative protocol was drawn up against him under Art. 19.11. Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus (dissemination of extremist materials) and was arrested for 15 days. The blame was placed on the page of the online store, included since August 2022 in the republican list of extremist materials.
Victoria Pishchalova
On June 16, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses to practice advocacy in relation to Victoria Pishchalova in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction in the form of expulsion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of a lawyer (commission of actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar).
Vladimir Saveliev
On June 16, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in relation to Vladimir Savelyev in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction in the form of exclusion from the Minsk Regional Bar Association for "systematic (two or more times within 12 consecutive months) violation of the requirements and conditions for the implementation of advocacy established by law.
Yuri Kozikov
On May 29, 2023, the Qualification Commission conducted an extraordinary attestation of lawyers, and considered the issues of termination of licenses for advocacy.
Based on the results of the extraordinary attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating the licenses for advocacy in relation to Kozikov Y.E. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him by the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association in the form of exclusion from the bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar). He was a defender in high-profile cases, was subjected to a "raid on lawyers."
Based on the results of the extraordinary attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating the licenses for advocacy in relation to Kozikov Y.E. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him by the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association in the form of exclusion from the bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar). He was a defender in high-profile cases, was subjected to a "raid on lawyers."
Artem Semyanov
On May 29, 2023, the Qualification Commission conducted an extraordinary attestation of lawyers, and considered the issues of termination of licenses for advocacy.
Based on the results of the extraordinary attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in relation to Semyanov A.S. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him by the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association in the form of exclusion from the bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar). He was a defender in high-profile cases, was subjected to a "raid on lawyers."
Based on the results of the extraordinary attestation, the qualification commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating licenses for advocacy in relation to Semyanov A.S. in connection with the application of disciplinary sanctions against him by the Council of the Minsk Regional Bar Association in the form of exclusion from the bar for committing offenses incompatible with the title of a lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of a lawyer and the bar). He was a defender in high-profile cases, was subjected to a "raid on lawyers."
Evgeniy Levkovich
On August 31, the Ministry of Justice held an exam for obtaining the status of a lawyer and re-certification.
On August 31, the license of E.M. Levkovich was terminated in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the territorial bar of lawyers in the form of exclusion from the bar for "committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer."
On August 31, the license of E.M. Levkovich was terminated in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the territorial bar of lawyers in the form of exclusion from the bar for "committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Elena Holupko
On August 31, the Ministry of Justice held an exam for obtaining the status of a lawyer and re-certification.
As of August 31, the license of E.P. Holupko was terminated in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the territorial Bar of lawyers in the form of exclusion from the Bar for "committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer."
As of August 31, the license of E.P. Holupko was terminated in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the territorial Bar of lawyers in the form of exclusion from the Bar for "committing offenses incompatible with the title of lawyer."
Maxim Ageev
In late September 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus, based on the results of the next certification, made decisions on the possibility of terminating license to practice law in relation to Ageev M.S. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the Minsk City Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the bar for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of lawyer and the legal profession)."
Igor Krot
In late September 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus, based on the results of the next certification, made decisions on the possibility of terminating license to practice law in relation to I.V. Krot. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the Minsk City Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the bar for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of lawyer and the legal profession)."
Olga Nazarova
In late September 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus, based on the results of the next certification, made decisions on the possibility of terminating license to practice law in relation to O.Nazarova. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the Minsk City Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the bar for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of lawyer and the legal profession)."
Stanislav Shostik
In late September 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus, based on the results of the next certification, made decisions on the possibility of terminating license to practice law in relation to S.Shostik. in connection with the application of a disciplinary sanction to him by the Minsk City Bar Association in the form of expulsion from the bar for "committing an offense incompatible with the title of lawyer (committing actions that discredit the title of lawyer and the legal profession)."
Alexander Danilevich
In October 2023, the Qualification Commission conducted the next certification of lawyers of territorial bar associations. Based on the results of the certification, decisions were made. The Qualification Commission decided on the possibility of terminating license to practice law in relation to Danilevich A.S. ("in connection with the decision taken by the Minsk City Bar Association to expel a lawyer due to the entry into force of a court verdict finding him guilty of committing an intentional crime").
Anastasia Lazarenko
On December 21, 2023, the Qualification Commission for Advocacy in the Republic of Belarus carried out the next certification of lawyers of territorial bar associations, as a result of which the Qualification Commission made decisions on the possibility of terminating license in relation to Anastasia Lazarenko in connection with exclusion from the Minsk City Bar Association (in connection with "the entry into force of a court verdict finding the lawyer guilty of committing an intentional crime").
