Opposition activist Dashkevich transferred from cell-type room to regular prison unit

Imprisoned opposition activist Zmitser Dashkevich has been transferred from a cell-type room back to a regular unit at a correctional institution in Hlybokaye, the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported with reference to opposition politician Paval Sevyarynets.

Mr. Sevyarynets said that the 30-year-old leader of an opposition youth group called Malady Front may be released early under this year’s amnesty.

On March 24, 2011, a judge of the Maskowski District Court in Minsk sentenced Zmitser Dashkevich to two years in a minimum-security correctional institution, finding him guilty of "especially malicious hooliganism."

He was arrested in Minsk on December 18, 2010, on the eve of a scheduled large-scale post-election demonstration, for allegedly beating up two passers-by.

Speaking during his trial, Mr. Dashkevich said that the incident was a provocation orchestrated by authorities and accused the two alleged victims of giving false testimony. In September 2011, he refused an offer of freedom in exchange for asking Alyaksandr Lukashenka for a presidential pardon.

In February 2012, Mr. Dashkevich was placed in disciplinary confinement twice. He had previously been subjected to such punishment at least 10 times.