“Right direction” according to Brussels: from prison to army

• 30.01.2009, 17:16

Zmitser Khvedaruk, activist of the “Young Front”, who had legal grounds for determent, was sent to mobility forces in Zhodzina (the Smalyavichy district) right from the prison on Akrestin Street.

It should be reminded that Zmitser Khvedaruk was detained on January 28. The oppositionist was reminded that a year ago he had been sentenced (in absentia) to 10 days of arrest for participation in a street action “Belarus to Europe!”, held on May 1, 2008.

Khvedaruk spent two days in prison and then was guarded to hospital, where doctor found his fit for military service. It has been found out today that Khvedaruk was sent to mobility forces from the jail in Akrestsin Street. This hurry can be explained by the fact that January 31 is the last day of winter draft campaign.

The oppositionist is a student of Biblical Theological College and has a right for determent.

It should be reminded that youth leaders Franak Vyachorka and Ivan Shyla were forcefully caught in Minsk and sent to army on January 28.

It should be noted that on January 27, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, noted at the meeting with Belarusian foreign minister Syarhei Martynau that Minsk moved “in the right direction” and a dialog with Belarus was “encouraging”.

“Of course, we're halfway, so to say, with Belarus, but we see that they are taking important steps that go in the right direction,” the EU’s commissioner said.