Political prisoner Ivan Mikhailau acquitted

Ivan Mikhailau was sentenced for his refusal to serve in the army due to religious views.

The political prisoner has been acquitted. The ruling was delivered by the Minsk district court on May 4, BelaPAN learnt from , an activist of the campaign For Alternative Military Service.

We remind that 21-year old Ivan Mikhailau, a member of the New Covenant congregation, was drafted into the army in December 2008, but refused to serve. He told the drafting board of the Minsk district that military service contradicts his religious beliefs and demanded to allow his alternative service according to article 57 of the Constitution. He was denied as there is no alternative service in Belarus. He was also denied the right for reserve service.

On December 15, 2009, the young man was arrested in Salihorsk and taken to a detention facility. On February 1, the Minsk district court found him guilty of committing a criminal offence, draft evading, and sentenced him to three months of arrest. Mikhailau was taken to prison #8 in Zhodzina to serve his term.

Amnesty International recognized Ivan Mikhailau prisoner of conscience.