On July 26, two more lawyers who had defended the accused in the case on the events of December 19, failed to get through the procedure of an extraordinary certification initiated by the Ministry of Justice. Hanna Bakhtina, a lawyer of Irina Khalip, and Daria Lipkina, who defended Nikita Likhavid were not certified.
The meeting of the Certification Commission was held on July 26, it was headed by Nikolai Zeljanko, Director General of the Justice of Minsk city executive committee. The reasons for Hanna Bakhtina not being certified that were presented at the meeting included "a violation of the profession rules and the professional ethics, as well as keeping a small legal advocacy among the population."
Hanna Bakhtina filed a written statement to the Commission, announcing her intention to appeal against the Commission’s decision. "I am not going to abandon my plans, I will not refuse my intention to defend myself, and I’ll do it fully," – said Hanna Bakhtina.
Daria Lipkina, who defended Nikita Lihavid in the case on the riots, stated that she disagreed with the decision of the Certification Commission.
The lawyer said: "The Certification Commission has no right to decide on anything concerning the termination of powers of attorney or the continued operation".
According to the procedure, the Certification Commission passes the materials to the qualifying committee that is authorized to make decisions on the termination of powers of attorney or the continued operation. These decisions can be appealed in court.
"I do not know what the decision about me will be, but for sure I will not agree to the negative decision" – said Lipkina.
Human rights activists supported the lawyers
Five Belarusian human rights organizations appealed to the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Gabriela Knaul in connection with the license deprivation of the lawyers defending defendants in the case on the events of December 19.
The appeal was signed by Elena Tankachova (Foundation for Legal Technologies), Olga Smalianka (Center for Legal Transformation), Raisa Mikhajlouskaja (Centre for Human Rights), Tatstsiana Ravyaka (Belarusian Human Rights House in exile in Lithuania), Aleh Hulak (Belarusian Helsinki Committee), and a lawyer and the political scientist Yuri Chavusau.
The human rights informed the Special Rapporteur about the withdrawal of attorney licenses of Hanna Bakhtina, Daria Lipkina, Zarina Ahejeva, as well as a criminal case against Tatstsiana Ahejeva.
Human rights activists expressed their concern over the situation, namely, the continuing pressure on the lawyers’ community in Belarus, as well as intimidation and deprivation of attorney licenses, which jeopardized the independence of the law society in Belarus.
"We ask you to respond to this message as soon as possible and take all possible steps within the framework of your mandate," – the appeal stated.
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In February, the Ministry of Justice had withdrawn licenses of four defense lawyers of the Minsk City Bar – Aleh Ahejeu, Tatstsiana Ahejeu, Uladzimir Toustsik and Tamara Harajeva defending defendants in cases of riots in Minsk after the presidential elections on 19 December 2010. On March 6 Paval Sapelka was excluded from the panel of counsel.
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