Aliaksandr Malchanau’s appeal to be considered on 26 June

The cassation appeal of opposition activist Aliaksandr Malchanau will be considered by the Minsk Region Court on 26 June. The activist had been convicted for participation in the protest action of 19 December 2010, but then was granted parole by a presidential decree.

Nevertheless, he remained under c lose surveillance of secret services. A criminal case was brought against him for an alleged theft of metal scrap. On 9 April 2012 Aliaksandr Malchanau was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment.

Hanna Shaputska, coordinator of the civil initiative “For Liberty”, hopes that Malchanau will be justified:

“It was clear at the trial that there was no evidence of his guilt, the case was simply fabricated in order to isolate him, as he continued his civil activities in Barysau after being released on parole. That’s why the authorities decided to isolate him again.”