Media Advisory
Appeal trial against former member of President Lukashenka’s elite hit squad to take place on 24 June in Switzerland
What
The appeal trial of Yuri Harauski, former member of a Belarussian elite unit, for his participation in the enforced disappearances of three opponents of the regime, will take place on 24 June 2026 in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Why
After seeking asylum in Switzerland in 2019, Yuri Harauski gave media interviews about his involvement in the enforced disappearance of two emblematic figures of the opposition to the Lukashenka regime and of a businessman in 1999. At the time, he was a member of an elite unit of the Troops of the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs (SOBR).
In 2021, two relatives of the victims, along with TRIAL International, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center Viasna, filed criminal complaints against him with the office of the Prosecutor of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Yuri Harauski’s trial in first instance took place before the District Court of Rorschach on 19-20 September 2023. On 28 September 2023 the court acquitted him. While it recognised the responsibility of the regime in the crimes, the judges were not convinced of the involvement of the defendant in the events.
When
Yuri Harauski’s appeal trial will take place on 24 June 2026.
Where
Criminal Division of the Cantonal Court of St. Gallen
Kantonsgericht, Strafkammer
Klosterhof 1, 9001 St. Gallen
Access
The proceedings will be in German and will be open to the public and the media, subject to available courtroom space.
More information on the website of the Cantonal Court. (in German)
Conatct
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH): Raphaël Lopoukhine, rlopoukhine@fidh.org, +33 6 72 28 42 94
- TRIAL International: Anja Härtwig (English, French, German), media@trialinternational.org, +41 77 469 68 65
Representatives of the three organisations will be present in St. Gallen throughout the appeal trial.
