Zmitser Khvedaruk threatened with criminal case for Belarusian language
- 18.06.2009, 11:10
Commandment of the military unit press upon the youth activist for he gives commands in Belarusian.
The date of trial considering the appeal of “Young Front” activist Zmitser Khvedaruk, forcefully drafted into the army, was set. Khvedaruk made a complaint at unlawful actions of the drafting and medical commissions.
Zmitser Khvedaruk’s appeal will be considered at a trial in the Minsk City Court at 3.00 p.m. on June 29.
As mfront.net reports, there have appeared disturbing messages about possible instigation of a new criminal case against Zmitser Khvedaruk.
On June 17, Zmitser Khvedaruk phoned “Young Front” activist Mikalai Dzemidzenka and told him he suffered strong pressure.
“He noticed worse attitude of the unit commandment towards him. He is psychologically pressed. The command threats him with a criminal case for Khvedaruk gives commands in Belarusian, which is allegedly forbidden by the military regulation. Moreover, Khvedaruk violates the military regulation by specking in Belarusian,” Mikalai Dzemidzenka told.
It should be reminded that on January 28, 2009, “Young Front” activist from Minsk Zmitser Khvedaruk was forcefully guarded to a military enlistment office and then to a jail in Akrestsin Street allegedly for serving a term of punishment for participation in a rally held on May 1 a year before. It was found out later there was no such a judgement. However, Khvedaruk spent two days in jail. Handcuffed, he was guarded for a medical examination in Minsk polyclinic #14. He was found fit for military service, though he had a surgery on a vein a month ago, and a number of chronic diseases.
Handcuffed, the “Young Front” activist was guarded to army 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.
Khvedaruk was taken to hospital several times after his call-up. He was found diseases that give his a right not to serve in the army, but the youth activist was sent to the military unit again.