Franak Vyachorka threatened with criminal case in army

Pressure on leader of “The Youth of BPF” Franak Vyachorka, forcefully drafted into the army, has increased.

The youth leader is threatened with criminal case for his diary on portal naviny.by. He allegedly said information of “national importance” in his notices – for example that shower rooms haven’t been repaired fro years.

If earlier Vyachorka suffered psychological pressure by political instructors, now commanders of the battalion have joined them – commander lieutenant colonel I. Lyabedka and chief of staff major V. Kapylovich. They have just returned from a meeting the brigade headquarters in Baranavichy, the website of the BPF party writes.

I. Lyabedka told his soldiers a criminal case might be instigated against Franak Vyachorka for his “Army Journal”. However, he failed to explain under which article and on what ground the case could be opened. Kapylovich, who took away independent press from the recreation room calling it “anti-state” and “forbidden in armed forces”. F. Vyachorka was denied of leaves for presence of independent newspapers in the military unit. It has been the third politically motivated punishment of the soldier for the last week.

Both soldiers and officers read independent newspapers “Belorusy i Rynok”, “Gazeta Slonimskaya”, “Narodnaya Volya”, “Nasha Niva”, and “Novy Chas”, delivered to the military unit after call-up of Franak Vyachorka. Franak Vyachorka received his last mail in opened enveloped, “Nasha Niva” newspaper was taken away from there.

As we have already reported, Franak Vyachorka was punished with two extra duties. The guy is deprived of leaves and can’t tell about the events happened some days ago.

His father, deputy head of the BPF party Vintsuk Vyachorka is indignant at attempts to isolate the young man from the society by depriving him of sources of information and contacts with relatives and friends.

“Chief of battalion staff major Kapylovich told Franak independent press was anti-state, it’s forbidden to read it in the army,” Vintsuk Vyachorka said.

Besides, Franak Vyachorka again head too high blood pressure, incompatible with military service. After numerous complaints the guy was taken to hospital in Mozyr. But heart ultrasound examination wasn’t carried out.

Vintsuk Vyachorka, father of the political draftee, comments on the situation:

“I have said earlier I have no claims to the military unit where my son is serving. Later I learnt that successors of Soviet secret police by hands of successors of soviet political instructors tried to initiate obstruction to Franak by other soldiers. Soldiers were told they wouldn’t receive good recommendations for work in militia or extended service if they continued talking with him. Thank god, soldiers are normal guys, and tricks of political instructor failed.

Now commanders of the battalion are trying to intimidate Franak with a criminal case. The young man with a medical exemption from military service was handcuffed, beaten and forcefully guarded to army barracks, and not they are trying to press on him in the army. If army officers neglect their honour and agree to become associates in dirty affairs of secret services, our reaction will be appropriate.

It’s worth paying attention that launching the Eastern Partnership program was marked with new wave of pressure on political draftees in Belarus.”

According to Radio Svaboda, another young activist Zmitser Khvedaruk, forcefully called up for military service, was also forbidden to read independent “Nasha Niva” newspaper,” the politician noted.