Belarus: Lukashenka must establish an immediate moratorium of the death penalty for both Dmitri Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev.

26.01.2012 | Brussels

MEPs Laima Andrikiene and Eduard Kukan in their joint statement have deplored the unfair trial of both Dmitri Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev and urgently called on President Lukashenka to establish an immediate moratorium of their death penalty. They have stressed the growing urgency for this, as both condemned can be executed now at any moment without warning, after their appeal for clemency had been rejected.

The Belarussian Supreme Court has sentenced Dmitri Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev to death, both accused of committing a terrorist act in the Minsk metro on April 11 2011. An explosion killed 15 people and wounded more than 200 others: "I strongly deplore the decision of the Belarusian court which has condemned Dmitri Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev to death. The guilt of these two young men has not been proven and even relatives of the victims have serious doubts that Konovalov and Kovalev are guilty of committing this crime", said Lithuanian MEP Laima Andrikiene.

The death sentence has caused a large wave of discontent and criticism in the European Union. 

After the meeting with Vladislav Kovalov's mother, Laima Andrikiene said: "The guilt of these young people and their participation in the terrorist act has not been proven."

According to Amnesty International, convicted men and their relatives stressed that both convicts had been tortured (heavily beaten) during interrogation.

"The trial in Minsk and the death sentences of Konovalov and Kovalev do not meet international standards and are illegal", highlighted Laima Andrikiene MEP.

Mrs Andrikiene also noted that the EU has a very strong position on the death penalty as an absolutely unacceptable way of punishment for any crime committed. Belarus remains the only country in Europe which has the death penalty and still carries out executions.