Jauhien Skoczka was born on 7 October 1976 in Homel. He studied directing at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts in Minsk. During his studies, he joined the youth wing of the Belarusian Popular Front, which in 1997 was transformed into the organization Young Front. Later he became the deputy chairman of the Young Front.

Chronicle of repression

A criminal case against Jauhien Skoczka was initiated on 25 February 1999. On the same day Jauhien was released from jail, where he was serving 10 days of administrative detention for participating in the youth protests Belarus to Europe, which took place on 14 February.

During the arrest Skoczka ran for 5 days a hunger strike, even though he had serious health problems – shortly before his arrest he was in the hospital, because he had stomach ulcers. Jauhien Skoczka said that on 23 February the officers put him in a cell, so called “tram.” It is a solitary confinement cell, a long dark room with concrete walls and floor. In this room the window was broken, and the floor was flooded with water. According to Skoczka, the prison officers placed him there as they were celebrating the Day of the Soviet Army, and they were drunk. On 25 February, shortly after his release from prison, Skoczka was taken to the Prosecutor’s Office for questioning. He was charged under the article 186.3 of the Criminal Code (organization and active participation in group actions, seriously violating public order).

On 14 June 1999 Jauhien was sentenced to suspended prison term of one year. He returned to his hometown of Homel and got married. He has two little children, he works, and is not engaged in political activity any longer.