Small town in the Belarusian countryside held a show trial of a conscientious objector

In the Belarusian city of Slutsk, a show trial was held over a 19-year-old young man, accused of evading conscription, reports Euroradio with reference to ‘Slutskiy Krai’.

The trial took place right in the building of the military enlistment office, in the presence of other conscripts.
The young man received the summons and signed in its receipt, but did not appear for the mandatory medical examination without providing a valid reason. The court passed a sentence: three months’ arrest. Until then, the defendant was on his own recognisance, but immediately after the hearing he was taken into custody.

Photo taken from the Slutskiy Krai newspaper

This is what a court in Belarus looks like nowadays

Such trials in Belarus, as we have already written, take place regularly, becoming part of the campaign to toughen measures against conscientious objectors. Last year, 266 people were convicted for evading military service in the country.
In the spring of this year, the Prosecutor General’s Office discussed possible measures to increase penalties for evading the army. Representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office came to the conclusion that fines no longer fulfil the function of intimidation. In this regard, young people are increasingly being sentenced to arrest

Such trials, which take place in full view of other conscripts, are intended to intimidate, which, according to the authorities, should reduce the number of those who refuse to fulfil the requirements of conscription. However, these actions have provoked mixed reactions from society, including criticism that the court has become an instrument of pressure and a show of force.
The situation with coercive measures and toughening of penalties for refusal to serve in the army continues to be one of the most acute social topics in Belarus.