Military court finds Viachorka’s draft legal

On 23 March Minsk Intergarrison Tribunal turned down the claim by the youth opposition leader Franak Viachorka and found his conscription legal, including the events that took place on 16 February when the activist was beaten and forcefully escorted to the local military enlistment and registration office.

His draft was later suspended by a court decision. However, two days later Viachorka was detained by the police and taken to a military unit in Baranavichy.

According to Franak’s father Vintsuk Viachorka, the case materials featured several evidence, testifying that Franak was really beaten up by unknown persons in plain clothes. During the trial, a representative of the military registration office Aleh Zahurski said those were military men. Vintsuk Viachorka, in his turn, demanded to identify their names and prosecute them.

Aleh Zahurski said that they acted under the law. As for the beating, the claim was left unanswered.