A Swiss court on October 26, 2026 convicted former Belarusian SOBR officer Yuri Harauski for his role in the 1999 abduction of businessman Anatoly Krasovsky, an opponent of President Alexander Lukashenko. Harauski received a reduced sentence of two years on probation due to his cooperation, while being acquitted regarding former Interior Minister Yuri Zakharenko. Rights groups marked the universal jurisdiction case as the first-ever conviction of a Belarusian security force member.
Verdicts in Swiss court
- ▪The Swiss court acquitted Yuri Harauski over the kidnapping of former Belarusian Interior Minister Yuri Zakharenko because his intent could not be established
- ▪A Swiss court in St Gallen ruled on October 26, 2026 that Yuri Harauski's confessions regarding Anatoly Krasovsky were credible and demonstrated clear intent and knowledge of Krasovsky's abduction and subsequent killing
- ▪A Swiss court on October 26, 2026 found former Belarusian security officer Yuri Harauski guilty over the 1999 violent abduction of businessman Anatoly Krasovsky, an opponent of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko
Sentencing details for Harauski
- ▪A Swiss court sentenced Yuri Harauski to two years on probation in Switzerland following his conviction on October 26, 2026
- ▪The Swiss court reduced Yuri Harauski's sentence to probation due to his cooperation and comprehensive confession
Appeal process and support
- ▪The October 26, 2026 conviction of Yuri Harauski came after the daughters of Anatoly Krasovsky and Yuri Zakharenko appealed Harauski's 2023 acquittal by a Swiss court
- ▪The verdict against Yuri Harauski in Switzerland can be appealed one more time to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court
Significance of the Swiss trial
- ▪Human rights groups stated that the conviction of Yuri Harauski in Switzerland is the first conviction anywhere in the world of a member of Belarus' security forces
- ▪The Swiss court trial of Yuri Harauski represents the first time Swiss courts have applied universal jurisdiction to try charges of enforced disappearance or alleged crimes committed in Belarus
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