English

Trial of opposition activist Syarhey Kavalenka begins in Vitsyebsk

 

The trial of Syarhey Kavalenka, a prominent opposition activist charged with violating probation rules, began in the Pershamayski District Court in Vitsyebsk on February 21, BelaPAN said.

If found guilty, the 37-year-old Kavalenka, who has been on hunger strike – and force-fed – since his arrest on December 19, 2011, will have the suspension of his three-year prison sentence revoked.

During the Tuesday court session, Mr. Kavalenka was examined by an ambulance crew who found that his condition was satisfactory. Not trusting that crew, Mr. Kavalenka’s relatives called another ambulance, whose crew were let in only after the strong insistence of the defendant’s relatives and supporters.

After the relatives phoned the hotline of the regional health department to say that the defendant was near death but was being prevented from being hospitalized, both crews left the courtroom and Mr. Kavalenka was led away. While being escorted out of the courtroom, he shouted, “A doctor said I need to be hospitalized!”

The relatives were told by phone from the regional health department that Mr. Kavalenka was being driven to a prison hospital, but it turned out later that he was being kept in a room in the courthouse pending a decision by doctors.

Mr. Kavalenka was returned to the courtroom at about 5 p.m. and the hearing was resumed.

Judge Alena Zhuk read out conclusions by both ambulance crews, with one saying that Mr. Kavalenka’s condition was without change and the other recommending a more thorough examination.

The judge eventually announced that the trial would resume at 2 p.m. on February 22, and that the accused would undergo a health examination before that.

Mr. Kavalenka, a member of the Conservative Christian Party, was given the suspended three-year prison sentence in May 2010 for putting a white-red-white flag on top of Vitsyebsk`s tallest Christmas tree in early January.