Alleged Lukashenko Henchman On Trial In Switzerland

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) The appeal trial of an alleged member of a Belarusian special forces unit has begun at the Cantonal Court of St Gallen in northeastern Switzerland. Relatives of missing opposition politicians from Belarus are seeking a conviction for enforced disappearance. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: Alleged Lukashenko henchman on trial in Switzerland This content was published on September 22, 2026 - 12:10 1 minute Keystone-SDA

Deutsch de Angeblicher Lukaschenko-Scherge steht in St. Gallen vor Gericht Original Read more: Angeblicher Lukaschenko-Scherge steht in St. Gallen vor Ge

The 48-year-old Belarusian stated in a Swiss asylum application in 2019 that he had been involved in the murders of three opposition politicians in 1999 on behalf of the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The trial centers on the offence of enforced disappearance, which has been enshrined in the Swiss Criminal Code since 2017. This section of the law is based on a United Nations convention.

+ Trial of Belarusian in St Gallen – a first for Switzerland

In September 2023, the Rorschach District Court acquitted the defendant at first instance on the grounds of contradictory statements and lack of evidence. Relatives of the politicians who disappeared at the time subsequently lodged an appeal as private prosecutors.

The appeal trial is being closely followed by numerous media outlets and rights NGOs.

+ How we produce news in English
Translated from German, reviewed by an English Department journalist.

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