Son of former Belarusian presidential candidate Babariko remains in custody

MINSK. March 31 (Interfax) - The Minsk City Court has declined to change the restrictive measure against Eduard Babariko, the son of former Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babariko.

"The restrictive measure against Eduard Babariko remains in force: Minsk City Court Judge Lapko has declined the defense lawyers' appeal against the prolongation of his arrest," Viktor Babariko's official channel said on Thursday.

"Eduard will stay in custody until April 14, if the Investigative Committee doesn't lift or prolong his arrest," the report said.

Eduard Babariko is facing up to five years in prison. He was head of his father's election headquarters. He was detained and put in the Belarusian State Security Committee's detention facility on June 18, 2020. Eduard Babariko is charged with large-scale tax evasion.

Viktor Babariko became board chairman of Belgazprombank in 2000. He worked in that post until May 12, 2020, when he announced his decision to run for president of Belarus. The ex-banker was soon accused of running an organized criminal group. According to the investigators, top managers of Belgazprombank, acting in the interests of some commercial entities, illegally received from representatives of these organizations illegal financial remuneration in 2004-2020. All of the accused, except for Babariko, have fully admitted their guilt.

The Belarusian Supreme Court on July 6, 2021 sentenced Viktor Babariko to 14 years in prison. He is now in a penal colony in Novopolotsk.