Дмитрий Лаевский. Фото из Facebook
The Minsk City Court on Sept. 9 sentenced lawyer Dzmitry Laeuski to three years in prison. He was taken into custody in the courtroom after the verdict was announced. Viasna reports, citing Laieuski’s friend and former colleague Yauhen Pylchanka.
Laeuski was found guilty under articles on “facilitating extremist activities” and “discrediting Belarus.” The charges were based on the lawyer’s interviews with independent Belarusian media outlets.
In 2020–2021, Dzmitry Laeuski defended Viktar Babaryka and Maksim Znak. After Babaryka was sentenced, Laeuski was disbarred. The reason was his statement during closing arguments in the case.
Earlier, in 2011–2012, Laeuski represented human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. After that case, he was forced to leave the legal profession for several years under pressure.