Political “raid”: youth leaders taken to army forcibly and illegally

Officers of police and military enlistment offices have staged a real raid against youth leaders all over Belarus.

On January 28 attempts to take to the army by force one of the leaders of the Young Front Ivan Shyla, a young activist Zmitser Fedaruk, and Moladz BNF leader Franak Vyachorka took place.

Franak Vyachorka has been detained right in the street and taken to the military unit. The oppositionist is to serve in the 8th radio-technical brigade in Baranavichy.

Franak Vyachroka’s father, deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front party Vintsuk Vyachorka, has been informed about that by a military commissar of Savetski district of Minsk Zahurski.

Vintsuk Vyachorka said to the commissar that he is to bear responsibility for abduction of his son and violation of the laws in force.

“All this a demonstration of the essence of the so-called “thaw”, which is allegedly taking place in Belarus. All laws are violated, the Constitution is violated. No one in this country can feel secure, anyone can be seized, kidnapped, anything could be done to a person. Even according to Lukashenka’s laws, Franak had 10 days for appealing of a decision of the court. We know how this trial was conducted, but nevertheless, he had a right for appeal,” Vintsuk Vyachorka said in an interview to the Chater’97 press-centre.

As we have informed, on January 16, Franak Vyachorka was forcefully caught in a hospital ward, where he taking medical examination, and guarded to the military enlistment office. He was said there he would be sent to a military unit in some hours. Franak had a determent due to eye surgery and some chronic diseases. He had to appear before another medical commission in the republican military hospital.

On January 17, Franak Vyachorka appealed the court against actions of the military men and medical workers during the drafting campaign. The youth activist demanded that military commissions preserve principle of equality for all draftees.

The Savetski district court of Minsk warned the military enlistment office that Franak Vyachorka couldn’t be called up until his complaint wasn’t considered. However, a trial over the case of youth leader Franak Vyachorka was held in his absence and behind the closed doors. Despite of his health problems, Franak Vyachorka was found able-bodied for military service.

“We have never seen such an outrageous violation of all procedures since Lukashenka is in power. The trial was closed, the plaintiff was absent, he was deceived and told the wrong date and time of the trial,” Vintsuk Vyachorka said.

Today policemen and military enlistment office representatives came to the apartment of the young activist Zmitser Fedaruk. They stated that the oppositionist is to follow them to the military enlistment office. As said by Fedaruk, policemen seized him, dragging out of the apartment by force. Fortunately, Fedaruk’s father returned home at that moment. Policemen withdrew from the apartment, saying Fedaruk is to “come to the military enlistment office”.

As we have informed, the activist studies in Minsk Biblical Theological college and there can be no draft into the army for him at the moment. Besides, Fedaruk was beaten up by riot policemen twice: on January 17, 2008 in the Central Court and on December 12, 2007 during disband of “For Independence” rally. Zmitser had a traumatic brain injury, intra-abdominal injury and brain concussion.

One of the Young Front leaders Ivan Shyla was taken to the military enlistment office on January 28 in the evening. As the activist told to the Charter’97 press-centre, policemen were watching outside his house, and then burst in and stated he was to follow them. It should be noted that the military enlistment office works till 5 p.m., and the oppositionists were detained at 5.30 p.m.

Ivan Shyla is convinced that his drafting to the army is illegal. “I was detained by policemen and taken to the military enlistment office when I went there myself. A camera crew of Belarusian TV and KGB officers arrived. They were consulting colonel Zainchynski, military commissar of Salihorski district. I saw how doctors settled all points of difficulty and doubt in a few minutes.

I do not believe in coincidences. A year and a half ago I was found guilty for participation “in an unregistered organisation”, half a year ago I was expelled from school before the last exam,” Ivan Shyla said.