Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babariko faces criminal charges

Presidential candidate of Belarus Viktor Babariko has been charged under a criminal article, lawyer Dmitry Laevsky told Interfax.

“I can’t name the article on which the charge was brought as part of a non-disclosure agreement,” he said, adding that Babariko “categorically disagrees with the charge.”

The defense insists on complete innocence, Laevsky said. He also noted that Babariko, who is in the pre-trial detention center, is "alive and well."

• Viktor Babariko is called the main rival of the incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in the upcoming August 9 elections.
• Babariko was detained on June 18, the State Control Committee of Belarus called him "the head of illegal activities." A week before, were detained . 15 former and current employees of Belgazprombank, which Babariko headed before his presidential nomination,
• On June 20, Babariko's headquarters handed over to the CEC of Belarus the entire package of documents for registering a candidate, including the required number of signatures.