Valyantsin Stefanovich: This is a provocation by security services

Human rights activist Valyantsin Stefanovich views the verdict to Zmitser Dashkevich and Eduard Lobau in one line with the events on December 19, 2010.

“I do not view this case separately from the events on December 19, 2010. Dashkevich was detained several times on far-fetched grounds ahead of December 19. They said his driver’s licence was faked and his car was on stolen car list. They authorities tried to detain the Young Front leader preventively ahead of December 19. The fight, for which the Young Front activists were sentenced, was organized by the secret services. The Secret services have already used such methods. Let’s recall the situation with Ales Pushkin, who was given 15 days of arrest allegedly for hooliganism. Two drunk men from his village, both have previous convictions, came to him at home, Pushkin just made them go out and was sentenced to 15 days of arrest for hooliganism. Dashkevich’s case is a provocation of the same kind, but its level was more seriously.

I won’t estimate leniency or harshness of the verdict, though part 2 of the article doesn’t provide for a prison term. This is a provocation organized by the secret services, there’s nothing to add.”