Łukašenka promotes judges who handed down harsh sentences to activists

July 31, BPN. Alaksandar Łukašenka has promoted three judges who handed down harsh sentences to journalists and opposition activists.

By his July 31 edict, the Belarusian ruler appointed Alena Rudnickaja, Maksim Fiłataŭ and Rusłan Caruk to the Supreme Court.

Fiłataŭ, at the Hrodna Regional Court, tried outspoken critic Mikałaj Aŭtuchovič, journalist Pavał Mažejka and opposition activist Vitold Ašurak, who would die in prison in mysterious circumstances in 2021.

Caruk, at the Homel Regional Court, handed down heavy sentences to Belarusians accused of sharing information on movements of Russian military convoys, extremism and activists arrested for criticizing the government online.

Rudnickaja, at the Minsk City Court, specialized in closing down Belarusian non-governmental organizations. As a district judge in 2011, she tried Belarusian activists accused of taking part in unauthorized protests against vote rigging in the 2010 presidential election.

The promotions have yet to be confirmed by the Council of the Republic.

Supreme Court Judges Halina Hłuchoŭskaja and Fiodar Čubakaviec have retired.