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Ex-Belarusian special forces agent faces trial in Switzerland over opposition disappearances

CAPTION CORRECTS NAME SPELLING - Benoit Meystre of NGO Trial International talks to press outside of the court of St. Gallen, Switzerland, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Harauski was supposedly a member of a special force acting on behalf of president Alexander Lukaschenko. He is on trial for the forced disappearance of three Belarusian politicians of the opposition. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)

Overview

  • Defendant was part of Belarusian unit that arrested and killed opposition members
  • He claims involvement in arrests but denies ordering or carrying out murders
  • First criminal case under Swiss law banning enforced disappearances enacted in 2017
  • Prosecution proceeding under universal jurisdiction despite events occurring abroad
  • Defendant sought asylum in Switzerland, fearing for his life after speaking out