The case of Zmitser Dashkievich, leader of the Young Front, should be in the spotlight of a democratic society. The activist, arrested on the eve of the presidential election and sentenced to two years in penal colony for alleged beating of two residents of Minsk, should be freed in December. However, the court sentenced Dashkievich to another year in prison for disobeying the orders of the administration of the colony.

„This method can be used by the authorities in cases of other political prisoners” – believes the well-known journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who is himself persecuted by the Belarusian authorities.

– “What is happening now with Zmitser,  is the worst situation that could occur in Belarus. Maybe people do not understand the situation fully, or unfortunately,  perhaps for other reasons there is no interest in this matter. Following Zmitser’s sentence, sentences of all other political prisoners can be dragged on forever” – says Poczobut.

Zmitser was arrested in Minsk on December 18, 2010, on the eve of a scheduled large-scale post-election demonstration, for allegedly beating up two passers-by. Speaking during his trial, Dashkievich said that the incident was a provocation orchestrated by authorities and accused the two alleged victims of giving false testimony.

Currently Dzmitry Dashkievich is serving a sentence in the colony No. 13 in Glubokoje.