“Viasna” demands immediate release of Siarhei Kavalenka from jail
Statement by Human Rights Center
"Viasna"
Minsk, 11 January 2012
On 19 December 2011 in
Vitebsk, in
connection with criminal proceedings under Art. 415 of the Criminal Code
(evasion of serving punishment of restraint of liberty) the activist of CCP BPF
Siarhei Kavalenka was arrested and imprisoned. At this point it he is kept in
solitary confinement in Vitebsk,
hungering for the 23rd day. His life and health are in serious
danger.
Bear in mind that on 14 May 2010 the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk
sentenced Siarhei Kavalenka to three years of personal restraint without
sending him to an open penitentiary institution. Criminal prosecution of the
activist started after 7 January 2010, when he hanged out a white-red-white
flag having managed to climb up the 40-meter metal construction, symbolizing
the New Year Tree in the center of Vitsebsk, before the eyes of many people. He
was charged under Part 1 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code (intentional
actions grossly violating public order) and part 2 of Article 363 (resistance
to law enforcement officials in the performance of official duties).
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" considers the public demonstration
and hanging out a white-red-white flag by Kavalenka can by no means be
classified as “hooliganism” because there is no exceptional cynicism and sheer
contempt for society in it, and the activist didn’t pursue such a goal..
Kavalenka’s deed is a socio-political action which wasn’t aimed at harming
public order or the contempt of society.
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" considers the repeated criminal
prosecution of Siarhei Kavalenka for “evasion from serving the penalty in the
form of personal restraint” as a continuation of political repression against
him and an attempt to further isolate the activist of the opposition party.
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" calls upon the Belarusian
authorities to immediately release Siarhei Kavalenka, to drop the criminal case
and provide him with the necessary and urgent medical care.
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" reminds the administration of the
pre-trial prison and the Belarusian MIA that all responsibility for the lives
and health of Sergei Kovalenko falls on them.
