Political soldier Zmitser Khvedaruk forbidden to go on leave

• 20.10.2009, 11:27

The “Young Front” activist was going to take a leave to attend the funeral of radio Racyja’s journalist Alherd Nevyarouski.

The leave, political soldier Zmitser Khvedaruk applied for October 20, was postponed by a day in the morning of October 20.

As Radio Racyja learnt from Iryna Khvedaruk, mother of the “Young Front” activist, all documents for the leave were ready on October 19, the activist’s parents were informed the next day the leave had been delayed.

“The command told yesterday my son would have a leave,” Iryna Khvedaruk tells. “He was to go on leave at 8 in the morning, but the command said they would release Zmitser only next day. So, the inhumane army forbade my son to pay the last tribute to journalist Alherd Nevyarouski, son of his first school teacher Elvira Nevyarouskaya.”

We remind that on January 28, 2009, Zmitser Khvedaruk was forcefully taken to a military enlistment office and then to a jail in Akrestin Street allegedly for serving punishment for taking part in a demonstration on May 1, 2008. It was found out later that there was no court decision. Nevertheless, Khvedaruk had to spend 2 days in jail. Handcuffed, he was guarded to policlinic #14 for a medical examination. The medical board found him fit for military service, though he had had a surgery on a vine a month before and had a number of chronic diseases.

Handcuffed, the “Young Front” activist was taken to military barracks in Zhodzina, though he was a student of Theological College and had an exemption from military service. He didn’t have a medical record and an identification document during the medical examination.

Forcefully drafted Khvedaruk has been taken to hospital several times. He was found diseases that give his a right not to serve in the army, but the youth activist has been sent to the military unit again.