Christian faces imprisonment for demands to respect Constitution
18:16, — Politics
The criminal case against a believer Ivan Mikhajlau who demands alternative service for him, is to be considered till February 1, 2010.
Court proceedings in the case of Ivan Mikhajlau, a parishioner of the Messianic Jewish community “New Testament” have started today in the court of Minsk region.
Ivan Mikhajlau denied to do military service, as it contradicts his religious believes, and demands to offer him a possibility of alternative (civil) service under Article 57 of the Constitution of Belarus. Besides, Ivan Mikhajlau is the elder son in a family with many children, and he helps to support the family considerably.
Demands of Mikhajlau haven’t been heard by the Defense Ministry, the presidential Administration and other agencies where Mikhajlau’s family addressed many times. A criminal case for “draft evasion” (Article 435.1 of the Criminal Code) has been opened against him. The maximum penalty for such a denial is restriction of freedom for two years.
Ivan Mikhajlau was taken to the court from the remand prison of Zhodzina under police escort. He stayed in the remand prison since his arrest on December 20, 2009.
According to the information of the campaign “For Alternative Military Service”, the case is judged by judge A. N. Minich, the official prosecution is represented prosecutor Cherapovich, attorney Svyatlana Harbatsyuk represents the defence.
The prosecutor demands to find Ivan Mikhajlau guilty of committing a criminal offense for draft evasion, and hold him criminally liable. The defence insists Ivan Mikhajlau is innocent, and demands to stop criminal prosecution and guarantee the constitutional right of the young man to do alternative civil service.
Mikhajlau pleads not guilty. He openly states his desire to do alternative service in keeping with the Constitution of Belarus.
At the moment a recess has been taken till February 1, 10 a.m. when after pleadings in court a verdict is to be passed probably.
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