Journalists and human rights activists expelled from trial in case of Zmitser Khvedaruk

A complaint of “Young Front” activist Zmitser Khvedaruk against unlawful actions of draft and medical commissions is being considered in the Pershamaiski district court of Minsk.

Zmitser Khvedaruk told at the trial on January 28, 2009, he was forcefully taken to the military enlistment office and then guarded to the prison in Akrestsin Street allegedly serving punishment for participation in a rally on May 1 last year. As it turned out later, there was no such a judgement. But Khvedaruk spent two days in prison. Handcuffed, he was guarded to polyclinic #14 of Minsk for a medical examination that took 40 minutes. Handcuffed, he was guarded to army barracks in Zhodzina, Radio Svaboda reports.

Judge Natallya Pyatukh told Zmitser Khvedaruk she didn’t understand his complaint, as she didn’t see any difference in whether the activist went to the military enlistment office voluntary or was guarded there in handcuffs. The audience, including the military, laughed at this statement, Radio Svoboda says.

In response, the judge ordered journalists, human rights activists, Khvedaruk’s friends and mother of former prisoner Andrei Kim to leave the courtroom.

The “Young Front” activists made a complained against actions of judge Natallya Pyatukh.