Prominent Belarusian fashion designer convicted of fraud
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Prominent Belarusian fashion designer convicted of fraud, 23 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5208949eb.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 23, 2013
Alyaksandr Varlamau was freed in the courtroom after the court took into account the time he has already spent in custody and allowed him to serve his sentence at home.
A court in Belarus has convicted Alyaksandr Varlamau, the country's most prominent fashion designer, of fraud.
Varlamau, 57, has been in custody since his arrest in May 2011.
On July 23, the court found him guilty of fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion and sentenced him to five years' imprisonment.
But he was freed in the courtroom after the court took into account the time he has already spent in custody and allowed him to serve his sentence at home.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of around $258,000.
Varlamau is also one of the most high-profile openly gay men in Belarus, where homosexuals are routinely harassed by the security services.
While awaiting trial in prison, he underwent a spine operation that left him walking with a stick.
Based on reporting by AFP, Belapan, and RFE/RL's Belarus Service
Link to original story on RFE/RL website