Belarus Sentences Human Rights Lawyer Dmitri Laevski to 3 Years in Prison

Human rights lawyer Dmitri Laevski was sentenced to three years in prison by the Minsk City Court on September 9. Laevski, who previously represented high-profile political figures including opposition politician Viktar Babaryka and lawyer Maksim Znak, faced charges of aiding an extremist organization and discrediting Belarus.

According to prosecution records, the charges stemmed from nine interviews Laevski gave to seven independent media outlets. During those appearances, he talked about his sudden disbarment by the Minsk City Bar Association in July 2021, the legal matters surrounding Znak and Babaryka, and the institutional obstacles faced by defense attorneys in Belarus. Prosecutors claimed that Laevski deliberately distributed misinformation, though court documentation reveals the prosecution failed to provide evidence showing any of his public remarks were untrue.

Timing of Charges and Media Classifications

The timing of the legal maneuvers underscores an escalation against independent counsel in Belarus. When Laevski participated in these interviews in June 2021, the relevant media outlets functioned lawfully under Belarusian regulations. Radio Liberty was later labeled an extremist group in December 2021, half a year after Laevski’s interview regarding the trial of Babaryka.

Despite the interviews occurring prior to these formal state designations, a criminal case against Laevski was officially initiated by Belarusian authorities in August 2025, as stated by his former colleague Yauheni Pylchanka. The trial commenced on September 2 before concluding with the three-year prison sentence a week later on September 9.

History of Defending High-Profile Dissidents

Laevski’s imprisonment marks another chapter in a legal career defined by the defense of political prisoners. In 2011 and 2012, Laevski served as defense counsel for Ales Bialiatski, a prominent human rights defender and co-laureate of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Bialiatski condemned the September 9 verdict against Laevski, stating that he was punished for loving his country.

He was punished for loving his country.

Attorneys taking on politically charged cases have faced systematic disbarment, harassment, and criminal prosecution.

Broader Crackdown on the Legal Community

The case against Laevski is part of a broader government campaign targeting the legal profession in Belarus. Human rights monitors note that at least six other defense lawyers currently remain behind bars, while dozens of others have been stripped of their licenses on politically motivated grounds. Because of this sweeping crackdown, individuals facing politically driven accusations are left essentially without independent legal representation willing to mount a vigorous defense.