Another lawyer of political prisoner Andrei Sannikau gets disbarred
last week the presidium of the Minsk municipal panel
of lawyers disbarred Andrei Varvashevich. This is Sannikau’s second lawyer to
be disbarred. Previously, lawyer Pavel Sapelka was disbarred.
Bear in mind that Andrei Varvashevich together with Maryna Kavaleuskaya was
Andrei Sannikau’s lawyer in the criminal case on the events of 19 December
2010, and till now defended Sannikau’s interests.
He was disbarred “for a fault that is unacceptable for a lawyer”.
The reason for the disbarment was his trial on very dubious administrative
charges. He pled innocent. Despite it, the court prohibited the lawyer to
interrogate witnesses and to obtain other evidences proving his innocence – a
procedure that has recently become very common in court.
According to the legislature, disbarment can lead to withdrawal of the lawyer
license by the Ministry of Justice. Charter97.org was informed that the lawyer
has appealed against his administrative trial and disbarment. The appeal was
launched in accordance with the prescribed court order.
