Head of Minsk police and 20 judges added to EU “black list” (list)

According to Feb. 27 decision of the Council of the EU, the sanctions have been expanded and affect the following persons:

1. Alyaksandr Barsukou, head of Minsk police. “Responsible for repressions of a number of peaceful protesters in Minsk who were accused of violating the law on mass actions later. He has been in charge of police actions directed against street protests of the opposition for several years”.

2. Uladzimir Putsila, head of Minsk City Court. Considered appeals of Pavel Sevyarynets, Vital Rymasheuski and Alyaksandr Atroshchankau. “Dismissed appeals of court decisions [of lower instance courts] openly violating the Criminal Code of Practice”.

3. Marianna Valchkova. Judge of Minsk Partizan District Court. “Fined peaceful protesters numerous times and is responsible for repressions directed against the civil community and democratic opposition in Belarus”. The reason for adding the other judges on “the black list” is the same.

4. Aksana Relyava. Judge of Minsk Soviet District Court.

5. Zhanna Hvainitskaya. Judge of Minsk Zavodski District Court.

6. Anzhalika Mazouka. Judge of Minsk Soviet District Court.

7. Alyaksandr Kochyk. Judge of Minsk Partizan District Court.

8. Natallya Karovіna. Judge of Minsk Frunze District Court.

9. Yury Harbatouskі. Judge of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court.

10. Syarhei Lyushtyk. Judge of Minsk Pershamaiski District Court.

11. Alyaksandr Yakunchyhіn. Judge of Minsk Central District Court.

12. Maryna Zapasnіk. Judge of Minsk Lenin District Court.

13. Zhanna Dubіnіna. Judge of Minsk Zavodski District Court.

14. Zіnaіda Krasouskaya. Judge of Minsk Lenin District Court.

15. Syarhei Hermanovіch. Judge of Minsk October District Court.

16. Valyantsіna Svіstunova. Judge of Minsk Central District Court.

17. Іna Sheiko. Judge of Minsk Central District Court.

18. Lyudmіla Lapo. Judge of Minsk Frunze District Court.

19. Anatol Barysyonak. Judge of Minsk Partizan District Court.

20. Dzmіtry Yuferytsyn. Judge of Minsk Lenin District Court.

21. Valyantsіna Zyankevіch. Judge of Minsk Lenin District Court.

The Council of the EU has presented updated information about seven judges and prosecutors added on “the black list” earlier (Alyaksandr Hadanevіch, Natallya Pykіna, Uladzіmіr Saikouskі, Kіryl Chubkavets, Uladzіmіr Hrobastau, Alena Shylka, Uladzіmіr Stsyapurka).

Let us remind you that the decision about another expansion of the sanctions was followed by a diplomatic demarche of the Belarusian authorities: the resident representative of Belarus in the EU and the Belarusian Ambassador to Poland were withdrawn and the head of Minsk Representative Office of the EU and the Polish Ambassador were asked to return to their capitals for a consultation. It was also informed that “Belarus would forbid the persons who had promoted the introduction of the EU sanctions to enter Belarus”.

The EU took a firm decision at the yesterday’s extraordinary meeting in Brussels in response to it.

"To express solidarity and unity, it has been decided to withdraw all the EU Ambassadors from Minsk back to their capitals for consultations. All the EU member states will summon Belarusian Ambassadors to their Foreign Offices”, - informed Catherine Ashton in a special appeal.

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Full EU “black list” of Belarusian officials