Young opposition activist jailed after being caught pasting up leaflet on Freedom Day demonstration

Young opposition activist Mikita Kavalenka, a member of European Belarus, was sentenced Thursday to six days in jail after being caught pasting up a leaflet on a sanctioned opposition demonstration to be held in Minsk on March 25.

A judge of Minsk’s Savetski District Court found the man guilty of “petty hooliganism” and disobeying police orders, said the press office of European Belarus.

Three police officers testified in court, making conflicting statements, said the press office.

Mr. Kavalenka was arrested near the central railway station the previous day and spent the night in custody.

European Belarus spokesman Alyaksandr Atroshchankaw denounced the jail sentence against him as a measure to prevent the young man from taking part in the “Dzen Voli” (Freedom Day) demonstration that will mark 94 years since the proclamation of the 1918 Belarusian National Republic (BNR).