Syarhei Kavalenka remains in prison

On May 18, the Vitebsk region court dismissed an appeal against the decision of the Pershamaiski district court, which sentenced Syarhei Kavalenka to two years' imprisonment.

Syarhei's wife Alena Kavalenka, European Belarus campaign Activist Alena Semenchukova and Syarhei's cousin were detained near the court building when they were drawing “Freedom to Syarhei Kavalenka” on the asphalt, Radio Svaboda reports. A police report was drawn up against the wife of the political prisoner.

Activist of the CCP/BPF party Yury Belenki said Syarhei's mother was not allowed to the courtroom, which was full with plainclothes policemen. Kavalenka's father, Yury Belenki and Ales Chakholski  were present at the trial. The court dismissed a motion to guard Syargei Kavalenka to court.

Syarhei Kavalennka's father told a prosecutor during a break that Syarhei's weight was 45 kg. He showed a photo and said, “Look, his arms are as thin as matches. Do you have conscience?” The prosecutor and the rest people in the courtroom kept silence.

Lawyers presented arguments to show the illegal character of the court decision. The prosecutor said about an alleged “intent”. The court announced its decision to upheld the verdict. Yury Belenki said the court decision would be applied against:

“I said them loudly they will stand God's trial. They will be tried for this. The judges and the prosecutor left the courtroom with their heads down.”