The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area Moratorium There is no moratorium yet in place on either the imposition or carrying out of death sentences. As mentioned above, a group has recently been established in the Belarus House of Representatives to work on a moratorium. Supreme Court Chairman Valyantsin Sukala told reporters in June 2009 that Belarus’ judicial system was ready to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty.41 Method of execution The death penalty is carried out in private by means of shooting.42 Statistics Death sentences The Belarusian Government has emphasized on a number of occasions that the imposition of the death penalty has been on the decline in recent years.43 During the reporting period, one individual, Vasil Yazepchuk, was sentenced to death, by the Brest Regional Court on 29 June 2009.44 The conviction of Pavel Lenoy, who had been sentenced to death on 20 June 2008, was appealed and became final on 30 September 2008.45 Executions According to official statistics provided by the Supreme Court of Belarus,46 two individuals were executed during the reporting period: Nikolai Kaled was sentenced to death on 5 December 2007 by the Minsk Regional Court for murder with aggravating circumstances;47 and the above-referenced Mr. Lenoy.48 The exact dates of the executions were not made public. 41  “Judiciary said to be ready for death penalty abolition”, Viasna Website, 25 June 2009, <http://spring96.org/en/ news/28904/>. 42  Article 59(1) of the Criminal Code. 43  OSCE Permanent Council meeting No. 771, Statement by the Belarusian Delegation, PC.DEL/656/09, Vienna, 30 July 2009. 44  OSCE Permanent Council Meeting No. 769, Statement of the European Union, PC.DEL/594/09, Vienna, 16 July 2009. 45  Response to the ODIHR questionnaire from the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Belarus to the OSCE, 6 August 2009. 46  Ibid. 47  Article 139 (2) of the Criminal Code. 48  Response from the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Belarus to the OSCE, Note 45. 9