Shklou: Trial of Dashkevich Ends with Fine

In spring 2007 a leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich, who is still serving his 18-month prison term under article 193.1 of the Criminal Code (activities on behalf of unregistered organization) refused to testify in a criminal case against another Young Front member, Ivan Shyla, who received the same charges. As a result of this refusal the authorities brought another criminal case against Dashkevich to intimidate him. The second criminal case was brought under article 402 of the Criminal Code ‘Refusal or evasion of witness from testifying’. The maximal punishment under this article is 6 months of jail. 

The trial was surprisingly quick. The judge Kashkina found Dashkevich guilty and fined him 1 860 000 Belarusian rubles (about 865 US dollars). The trial was attended by the head of Minsk OSCE office. On the eve of the trial he applied to the minister of interior Uladzimir Navumau to be admitted there. Dashkevich was tried in Shklou jail, where he is serving the term. About 25 people dressed in T-shirts with his portrait gathered outside the prison. 

Thus, if nothing happens, Dashkevich will be released on 15 March 2008.