Swiss court convicts former Belarusian agent Yuri Garavski

A Swiss court has found Yuri Garavski, a former member of the Belarusian special security forces, guilty of the kidnapping of entrepreneur Anatoly Krasovsky, a political opponent of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. This verdict marks a historic precedent as the first conviction in the world of a former Belarusian security official for such actions.

The ruling follows an appeal by the families of the victims against a 2023 acquittal. While Garavski was acquitted in the case of former Interior Minister Yuri Zakharchenko due to a lack of proven direct intent, the court found his confessions regarding the Krasovsky case to be credible, noting his clear knowledge and intent regarding the kidnapping and subsequent murder.

Garavski received a two-year suspended sentence, which may be further reduced due to his cooperation with investigators. The case was adjudicated using the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing Swiss courts to review crimes committed in Belarus. Human rights organizations, including Trial International, have described the decision as a significant breakthrough in addressing accountability for enforced disappearances.