Pavel Sievarynets was sentenced 3 years of forced labour camp (Photo and Video)
BCD leader Pavel Sieviarynets was sentenced to 3 years of forced labour camp; he was set free in the court. Iryna Khalip and Siarhej Martseleu, who were judged together with Pavel, received 2 years of imprisonment with arrest of judgement for 2 years. Relatives and friends, including supporters of the BCD, which came into court with flowers, could meet and embrace Paul’s right in the courthouse.
In his first interview after his release Pavel Sieviarynets said he did not recognize the sentence as fair. He will fight for the liberation of other political prisoners, in particular already today he is going to visit a number of courts. When asked about torturesPavel confessed that for him personally the most severe torture was spiritual when he was not allowed to attend church and meet with a priest.
Now within three days Sieviarynets needs to return to the place of his residence in Vitebsk and wait for the transfer to a labour camp. After liberation Pavel immediately went to the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Minsk. In the KGB prison he asked for a meeting with a priest more than 10 times
Sieviarynets was accused of organizing and active participating activities that breach public order (Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code).He was arrested on 20 December 2011 directly after the presidential elections and since then he was kept in the KGB prison in Minsk.
Another BCD co-chairman and ex-presidential candidate, Vital Rymasheuski, is still undergoing court trial procedures. He is also being tried under the Article 342 of the Criminal Code.
