Former commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Igor Azarenok, was sentenced by the military board of the Supreme Court to 9 years in prison in a high-security colony with confiscation of property. Belapan reports this.

“The verdict comes into force from the moment it is announced; it is not subject to appeal or protest under the constitutional order,” Judge Vladimir Davydov summed up the announcement of the verdict. When the judge left the courtroom, Azarenok said after him: “Puppets, damn you.”

The former aviation commander was found guilty under Article 430 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (receiving a bribe on an especially large scale). The investigation established that Azarenok took advantage of his official position by accepting material assets on an especially large scale for a favorable solution to certain issues.

By a court verdict, Azarenok was stripped of the rank of major general. US$1,000 was also confiscated from the former aviation chief. The court also ordered the recovery of 138 million Belarusian rubles from him as the equivalent of illegally obtained remuneration.

Azarenka's accomplice was recognized as Russian citizen Andrei Mashkautsan, who was convicted of complicity in a crime, as well as instigation and complicity in accepting a bribe. More than 10 thousand US dollars were confiscated from the Russian. Mashkautsan received 6 years in prison, and for three years after his release he will be prohibited from holding positions related to organizational, administrative and economic activities.

The commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus, Igor Azarenok, was detained on December 20, 2010. In January 2011, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko relieved him of his post. The trial in the Azarenka case has been held behind closed doors since October 25.

The former commander-in-chief of the Belarusian Air Force was given 9 years in prison with confiscation