Church member Ivan Mikhailau finally at large

He and his parents are on the way home. Ivan Mikhailau was to be released yet on March 9.

The administration of the Zhodzina prison refused to release the believer on the ground of an extract from the court decision. They demanded to give them the full text of the court’s judgement on overturning the sentence to Mikhailau. According to the court’s decision, a new trial will be appointed. Mikhailau has been released on his own recognizance, Radio Svaboda reports.

Ivan Mikhailau was detained in Salihorsk. On December 15, the member of the Jewish Messianic congregation “New Covenant” was found guilty of draft evasion. The young man refused to go to military service as it contradicts his religious believes, and he demanded to offer him civil service under Article 57 of the Constitution of Belarus.

Ivan Mikhailau is recognized prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.