Zmitser Dashkevich, 26, is already serving 18 months in prison for his pro-democracy work, and faces another half-a-year imprisonment if he is found guilty, said rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). "The latest charges against Dashkevich have been brought under article 402 of the Belarusian Criminal Code. This refers to a ‘witness or victim’s denial or deviation to testify’," CSW added.
Dashkevich is chairing the Christian-leaning Belarusian youth democracy movement ‘Young Front’. He was detained in September last year and found guilty in November, 2006, on charges of "participating in activities of an unregistered organization, "although Young Front "has attempted to register with the authorities five times," CSW said.
In August this year, Dashkevich was reportedly charged following his refusal to hand over names and addresses of his colleagues, but the charges only became public in mid-September. At an initial hearing last month, his lawyer argued that the case be rejected, however the request was apparently denied and sent to the court in the region of Shklov, the birthplace of autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko
POOR PRISON CONDITIONS
In statements, Dashkevich’s family and friends said conditions in the Shklov Prison #17, where he is being held, are harsh. He is allegedly made to work long hours and visiting rights are frequently denied. "During his prison term Dashkevich has received five official warnings. He may therefore be unable to benefit from an amnesty law which would allow for an early release," CSW added.
CSW Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said his group is "very concerned for Zmitser and are calling on the Belarusian authorities to drop these latest charges against him." He said, “It is unacceptable that he is in prison in the first place, simply because of his peaceful, pro-democracy work. It goes beyond the pale, however, that he should now face additional prison time simply because he refused to incriminate friends and colleagues.”
Dashkevich has been co-leader of the Young Front movement since 2003. He was the recipient of a human rights award from the Charter 97 Initiative, a Belarusian human rights coalition, in 2006. He is considered by Amnesty International to be a prisoner of conscience. In 2007 he was a nominee for the Robert Kennedy Award which is given to human rights defenders CSW recalled.
