Investigation over beaten Molchan's case extended

Andrei Molchan, an activist of European Belarus civil campaign beaten by police, failed to prolong his sick leave.

“I visited a polyclinic on Friday. They said they could not prolong the sick leave any more. I have to go to work from Monday, June 18. I said to them my eye was still aching, but they advised to visit an ophthalmologist.

Headaches mostly stopped, but sometimes I have so acute aches that it becomes dark in my eyes,” Mplchan says.

He said he had received a letter from the Investigation Committee saying the investigation over his case had been extended until June 30, Radio Svaboda reports.

As charter97.org website already informed, on May 19, Andrei Molchan raised a national white-red-white flag near Pershamaiksi supermarket in Uruchcha city district to show his solidarity with Syarhei Kavalenka. He was detained and brutally beaten by police. According to preliminary doctor's conclusion, he was diagnosed with a head injury, fractures of the lower jaw and ribs, injures from blows to kidneys and legs.

On May 15, Andrei was discharged from hospital and sent to a polyclinic. The discharge summary says he has only a mild brain injury while broken jaw and other injuries are in question.

On May 28, two police reports were drawn up against Molchan. The reports accuse him of violating article 17.1 (swearing) and article 23.34 (unauthorized picket).