Former political prisoner Malchanau may face new term

A criminal case for the “desecration the state symbols” has been resumed against Aliaksnadr Malchanau.

He said it to charter97.org.

“They haven't explained anything, but I know exactly that the case was closed long ago. I was informed recently that it was resumed. No one questioned me or demanded to geive evidence. None of my friends were called to the Investigation Committee or other agencies,” Aliaksandr Malchanau said.

The former political prisoner said a criminal case for the “desecration of the state symbols” had been opened against him after the release from prison for taking part in the post-election protests.

“I was accused of hanging out green-red flags with some slogans. I was charged with violating article 370 'desecration of the state flag or the anthem of the Republic of Belarus'. It provides for a punishment of up to three months in custody, community service of up to two years, a fine or restriction of liberty of up to one year,” he added.

Aliaksandr Malchanau was detained in Barysau on January 6, 2011, in a criminal case over the post-election protests. He was charged with participating in mass disorders and desecrating the state symbols. Minsk's Frunzenski court sentenced him to 3 years in a medium security correctional facility on March 2, 2011. He served his term in correctional facility No. 15 in Mahilou. He was pardoned by Lukashenka on September 14, 2011.

In November 2011, he was arrested in Barysau for the second time and thrown into a temporary detention facility. The opposition activists was accused of scrap metal stealing. On April 9, 2012, he was sentenced to 18 months in a medium security correctional facility. He was released in July 2013.