Franak Vyachorka found unfit for military service and sent to barracks again

• 14.12.2009, 15:08

Medical staff found the forcefully drafted opposition activist has stage 2 hypertension with a risk to deteriorate to stage 3 hypertension.

Youth leader Franak Vyachorka told in an interview to Radio Svaboda the medical staff in hospital had found “stage 3 hypertension with a risk of deterioration to stage 3”. Such disease gives draft exemption.

According to the soldier, he was to be recognized unfit for military service. But on December 14, a medical officer told Vyachorka the latter must discharge from hospital, though a consultation with a cardiologist was arranged for Monday.

The youth activist said previous diagnosis written in my medical record had been annulled and he was sent back to army barracks.

Hypertension is a syndrome of high blood pressure. Depending on a stage of hypertension and risk factors, the disease may cause a stroke or heart attack in the nearest 10 years. Stage 1 hypertension allows serving in the army, but other stages give draft exemption.

We remind that Franak Vyachorka was unlawfully drafted into the army in January 2009. The so called political drafting campaign against youth activists started in Belarus. Young oppositionists are called up in spite of medical contraindications.