Judge imposes lenient sentences on Pukhavichy murder suspects
A judge in Hrodna has imposed lenient sentences
on four villagers
accused of murdering an alleged serial arsonist.
Syarhey Alferovich and Ihar Makarevich, residents of the village of Pukhavichy, Minsk region, were found guilty of murder and sentenced to five and three years in prison, respectively. Alyaksandr Pyatruchenya and Tatsyana Yukhnavets, who played a minor role in the killing, have been sentenced each to two years of "restricted freedom."
Syarhey Alferovich and Ihar Makarevich, residents of the village of Pukhavichy, Minsk region, were found guilty of murder and sentenced to five and three years in prison, respectively. Alyaksandr Pyatruchenya and Tatsyana Yukhnavets, who played a minor role in the killing, have been sentenced each to two years of "restricted freedom."
Although the murder charge carries a prison
term of eight to 25 years, or the death penalty, the judge granted leniency
citing Article 70 of the Criminal Code.
The convicts axed their fellow villager and
attempted to burn his body.
They were arrested in January but released on
February 6 before trial by order of Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The Belarusian
leader later told Supreme Court Chairman Valyantsin Sukala to show leniency.
