Sentence against businessman Andrei Bandarenka vacated

• 15.12.2009, 11:30

The judicial board of the Minsk city court headed by judge Nazaranka vacated a sentence delivered by the Pershamaiski district court against Andrei Bandarenka.

A reason for the vacation is that not all materials of the case have been considered and the Pershamaiski district court hasn’t taken into account all aspects of the case, Radio Svaboda reports.

The case was sent to the Pershamaiski district court for review. Zmitser Laeuski, the lawyer of the businessman, the review may take place in January 2010.

The measure of restraint to Bandarenka hasn’t been changed – he is in Babruisk colony.

We remind that the Pershamaiski district court sentenced former activist of the United Civil Party Andrei Bandarenka to seven years in prison with confiscation of his property in early October 2009.

Judge Leanid Yarmolenkau found Bandarenka guilty of theft of property the firm he founded. Andrei Bandarenka didn’t admit his guilt and appealed to the Minsk city court against the judgement.

Andrei Bandarenka ran for the “house of representatives” last year. The UCP activist tried to appeal against the election results, but his friends from governmental bodies warned him about “bad” consequences. Bandarenka didn’t give up attempts to defend his position. A criminal case was instigated against him after a while.

The UCP doesn’t exclude he may have been sentenced on political motives.