Pre-trial restraint measure not changed for Syarhei Kavalenka

Syarhei Kavalenka, a Vitsebsk-based activist of Conservative Christian Party BPF, has been denied changing a measure of restraint.

The oppositionist’s family applied to release him on bail and take him to hospital until trial taking into consideration his state of health, which deteriorated due to the hunger strike he started more than a month ago. Alena Kavalenka, the wife of the political prisoner, says a judge to consider the criminal case against her husband has already been appointed, Radio Racyja reports.

“The lawyer told me the application to release Syarhei on bail and stop criminal proceedings was declined. The criminal case was sent to the Pershamaiski district court yesterday. The lawyer did not promise the court proceedings would take a little time, because Syarhei is in critical condition due to the hunger strike. The lawyer says the trial date has not set yet, but a judge has been appointed. His name is Zhuk.”

Syarhei Kavalenka has been on hunger strike for 40 days protesting against unfair sentence. He has been in the detention facility in Vitsebsk since December 22. He was earlier fined for disorderly conduct and now waits for a trial for alleged violation of his probation. Kavalenka was given a suspended sentence for hanging out a national white-red-white flag on city’s Christmas Tree in Vitsebsk on January 7, 2010.