Court Upholds Zhaleznichenka’s Draft to Army

15.02.2008. Tags: political persecution, BPF Youth, Zhaleznichenka.
Source: RFE/RL.

On 14 February Savetski district court of Homel left in force the decision of the district military enlistment office for drafting a local democratic activist Zmitser Zhaleznichenka to army.

One of the witnesses at the trial was the doctor who examined the youngster at the draft commission. He stated that Zhaleznichenka’s diagnosis – hypertension – was not proved during his examination.

Bear in mind that the deputy chair of Homel oblast organization of the BPF Youth Zmitser Zhaleznichenka was twice expelled from Homel State University without sufficient reasons. He was a top student and did not miss classes without a good excuse. He appealed against the first expulsion and was rehabilitated in the university by court. However, four days later he was expelled again and drafted.

On 8 February Yury Zhorau, a judge of Savetski district court of Homel, granted the suit of the youngster’s parents and suspended the ruling of the military enlistment office for his draft to army. At that time Zmitser Zhaleznichenka was already in a military unit in Zhlobin.

On 9 February the recruits were giving the oath of allegiance. However, Zhaleznichenka, knowing about the court verdict, refused to give the oath.

Recently it has become known that on 8 February Zhorau reversed his own verdict ‘in connection with new circumstances’, but these circumstances are not known.

Now Zhaleznichenka’s lawyer intends to appeal against the court verdict and the order for Zmitser’s drafting.