Political Prisoner Dashkevich to Be Tried in Prison on November 6th
The trial over Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich is to take place on November 6th, Paval Seviarynets told BelaPAN. According to him, the trial is to take place in the prison, where Dashkevich is serving his sentence.
“I think, it was done on purpose. Firstly, those who would want to be present in the court room – media, diplomats, Zmitser’s friends, - won’t be allowed inside the prison. Secondly, the founding conference of the Belarusian Christian Democracy is scheduled for November 6th in Minsk and many Zmitser’s friends were going take part in it. This would not give them an opportunity to come at least to the prison walls and support their friend”, - P. Seviarynets pointed out.
It should be reminded that Zmitser Dashkevich is serving the sentence in Shklou low-security prison №17. On November 1st, 2006 he was found guilty under article 193-1 of the Criminal Code (activity on behalf of an unregistered organization) and sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment. The trial was closed for public.
A new criminal case against the activist was instigated on August 14th under article 402 of the Criminal Code (refusal or evasion of a witness or a complainant to give evidence or of an expert or a translator to perform his or her duties). Dashkevich refused to give evidence on the case brought up against Ivan Shyla, who was also accused of the activity on behalf of an unregistered organization “Young Front” (On November 4th Shyla was found guilty and received an official warning).
The article 402 of the Criminal Code provides for punishment of up to 3 yearsof imprisonment.
Human rights organization Amnesty International recognized Z. Dashkevich a prisoner of conscience.
