British FCO does not trust Belarusian court

David Lidington, the British Minister for Europe, condemned the execution of Uladzislau Kavalyou (Vladislav Kovalev) and Dzmitry Kanavalau (Dmitry Konovalov), the men sentenced to death for metro bombing in Minsk.

He raised his doubts over the judicial proceedings, Radio Svaboda reports.

“I am deeply concerned by Belarus’ decision to carry out the death penalty on two of its citizens, Dzmitry Kanavalaw and Uladzislaw Kavalyow. The UK strongly condemns all terrorism and deplores the deaths and injuries suffered in the bombing of the Minsk Metro on 11 April 2011. However independent reports have raised serious and credible concerns over the standard of evidence and fairness of the trial that led to the conviction of these two men for involvement in the bombing,” he said

The Minister for Europe also added London's principled position was opposing the death penalty, because any miscarriage of justice leading to the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable. Lidington urged Belarus to introduce a moratorium on executions.