Homel: Yauhen Yakavenka justified
On 8 April 2010 the Savetski district court in Homel justified Yauhen Yakavenka, 25, who was charged with non-coming to events connected to drafting into the army.
Before this, on 11 February 2010, Mr. Yakavenka had been found guilty under Article 25.1.3 of the Administrative Code and sentenced to a fine. On 12 March the Homrel regional court reversed the appropriate verdict of the Savetski district court and returned the case for the second trial.
At the same time, a criminal case under Article 435.1, 'evasion from the army draft' has been instigated against Yauhen and passed to court.
'Of course, it's good that I was justified on the administrative case. However, it is too early to say whether it will influence the trial of the criminal case,' commented the draftee.
Today's decision of the Savetski district court of Homel is the first case of justification of a conscientious objector who demanded to be assigned to the alternative civilian service. Tomorrow, on 9 April, the Minsk district court will continue the second trial on the case of another conscientious objector, Ivan Mikhailau. One more resident of Homel, Dzmitry Smyk, is also awaiting a trial on similar grounds.
