BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

30/01/2008

Belarusian Popular Front Condemns Drafting Of Member Into Army

The leadership of the opposition Belarusian Popular Front (BNF) condemned on January 29 as illegal the drafting of Dzmitry Zhaleznichenka into the army, Belapan reported. Zhaleznichenka, a third-year mathematics student, has been expelled twice from Homel State University for alleged violations of internal university rules. The first time, Zhaleznichenka managed to appeal his expulsion in court, which ordered the university to allow him to continue his studies. The second time, Zhaleznichenka was hastily drafted into the army. BNF Deputy Chairman Vintsuk Vyachorka said that the young party member was de jure a student when he was called up for military service. Vyachorka also said that the BNF will ask Zhaleznichenka to stop the hunger strike he has begun against the expulsion and the draft. "Dzmitry has proved his courage, consistency, and commitment to democratic principles in recent months, therefore placing his health in further jeopardy would not benefit the Belarusian cause," Vyachorka said. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-300108.asp