NOVEMBER 9, 1998
Below is the content of a reply letter [in Russian] received by fax at the League last week from the Deputy Justice Minister V.G. Golovanov concerning the case of Vera Stremkovskaya, an attorney who is in danger of being disbarred in Minsk.
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November 4, 1998; No. 10-09/16674
Dear Ms. Catherine A. Fitzpatrick,
We would like to inform you that in accordance with the professional ethical Rules for attorneys practicing in the Republic of Belarus, an attorney must not make public any information concerning providing legal assistance throughout the duration of the provision of legal assistance nor act in any way that may endanger the confidentiality of the attorney-client relationship even after the relationship with the client has ceased, nor act in a way harmful to the prestige of the bar.
According to our sources, attorney V. Stremkovskaya perpetrated a violation when she made public certain facts concerning the investigations in the criminal cases of V. Starovoitov, V. Koudinov, and A. Klimov. The Presidium of the Minsk Collegium of Advocates has discussed her behavior.
As regards V. Stremkovskaya's remarks about the activities of the government in the Republic of Belarus, in accordance with the Constitution of our country every citizen is guaranteed the right to freedom of opinion and belief and the free expression thereof.
Respectfully Yours,
[signed]
V. G. Golovanov
Deputy Minister of Justice
Republic of Belarus
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