The Aporia · Ex-Belarus official faces appeal against acquittal over forced disappearances in Swiss court

A former Belarusian security official, Yuri Harauski, is appearing before a Swiss court for an appeal against his acquittal on charges related to the forced disappearance of opposition figures in Belarus in 1999. The original case was brought by daughters of two disappeared individuals and marked the first time a Swiss court ruled on crimes committed under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Harauski had admitted to detaining three men but denied ordering or carrying out their murders; he now faces an appeal from human rights organizations that claim his role in these disappearances has not been adequately examined by the courts yet.

Written by AI on 2026-09-22, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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In ST. GALLEN, Switzerland, on September 22, an appeal began against the acquittal of Yuri Harauski, a former Belarusian security official. The Swiss court had acquitted him in 2023 for his alleged role in the forced disappearance of three opposition figures—Yuri Zakharenko, Viktor Gonchar, and Anatoly Krosovsky—in 1999 while he was part of the special police unit SOBR under President Alexander Lukashenko. The case, initiated by the daughters of two of the disappeared men, marked the first time a Swiss court ruled on crimes from Belarus using the principle of universal jurisdiction.

Harauski sought asylum in Switzerland due to fears for his safety in Belarus because of his willingness to speak about SOBR's actions. Although he admitted to being involved in the detention of the three individuals, Harauski denied ordering or executing their murders. The appeal is now under review at a cantonal court in St. Gallen.

Written for “Belarus Forced Disappearances Trial” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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He had admitted to involvement in the detention of ex-Belarusian interior minister Yuri Zakharenko, a former deputy prime minister, Viktor Gonchar, and businessman Anatoly Krosovsky, but denied ordering or carrying out their murders.

framing: mixed · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-22

🔮 Harauski had come to Switzerland as an asylum seeker, arguing his life was at risk in Belarus due to his willingness to speak out about what the SOBR unit did.

2026-09-22 · The Straits Times

Ex-Belarus official faces appeal against acquittal over forced disappearances in Swiss court · mixed framing

Ex-Belarus official faces appeal against acquittal over forced disappearances in Swiss court ST. GALLEN, Switzerland, Sept 22 - asserted

official → face → court

A former Belarusian security official is due in a Swiss court on Tuesday as an appeal begins against his acquittal on charges of participating in the forced disappearance of opposition figures in Belarus. asserted

appeal → begin → Belarus

A Swiss court acquitted Yuri Harauski in 2023 of involvement in the 1999 disappearance of three men while working in the special police unit SOBR under President Alexander Lukashenko. asserted

court → acquit → Lukashenko

The case, brought by daughters of two of the disappeared, was the first time a Swiss court ruled on alleged crimes committed in Belarus under the principle of universal jurisdiction. asserted

court → bring → jurisdiction

The appeal is taking place at a cantonal court in the eastern Swiss city of St. Gallen. asserted

appeal → take → Gallen

Harauski had come to Switzerland as an asylum seeker, arguing his life was at risk in Belarus due to his willingness to speak out about what the SOBR unit did. asserted

unit → come → what

He → admit → murders

The court ruled in 2023 that Harauski's actual role could not be considered legally proven because he had made contradictory statements about the matter at various times. uncertain

he → rule → times

The role of the Belarusian government could also not be established beyond reasonable doubt as it had not been represented in the proceedings, the court said. uncertain

court → establish → proceedings

The two women who filed the original suit appealed against the decision, supported by the Geneva-based group Trial International, the International Federation for Human Rights and the human rights group Viasna. asserted

who → file → Rights

"This case is the first opportunity in more than 30 years of dictatorship to get some of the gravest crimes of the regime finally recognised before a court of law," said Alès Bialiatski, director of Viasna. asserted

Bialiatski → get → Viasna

Lukashenko's government has in the past rejected criticism of its human rights record from the UN and rights groups and denies holding political prisoners. asserted

government → reject → prisoners

If convicted, Harauski could face up to 20 years in prison, the maximum fixed-term sentence in Switzerland. uncertain

Harauski → convict → Switzerland

Ex-Belarus official faces appeal against acquittal over forced disappearances in Swiss court

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