Political prisoner Dashkevich to stand new trial soon

Imprisoned “Young Front” leader Zmitser Dashkevich has studied the materials of a new criminal case against him – for “repeated failure to obey prison authorities”, RFE/RL reports.

A new trial against Dashkevich may be held within a month. If found guilty, he may be left in prison for one more year.

Zmitser Dashkevich wrote a letter to his fiancee and “Young Front” deputy head Anastasiya Palazhanka informing about details of the charges. Zmitser studied the charges and personal reference letters, Palazhanka says.

“He cites the reference letters: cannot get along with other inmates, has negative impact on them, cannot be corrected and takes decisions only to meet his own interests. He notes some would like him to meet their interests.”

Zmitser Dashkevich and “Young Front” activist Eduard Lobau were detained in Minsk on 18 December 2010, a day before the presidential elections. They were found guilty of beating two men.

On 24 March 2011, a court sentenced Dashkevich to two years in a minimum security penal colony. Lobau received a four-year term.