“Amnesty International” announces Ivan Mihailau prisoner of conscience

A human rights organization “Amnesty International” has announced a Belarusian Ivan Mihailau, believer of a Jewish messianic community “New Testament”, a prisoner of conscience. The guy has been imprisoned for three months for draft evasion.

BelaPAN informs that “Amnesty International” has urged the Belarusian authorities to release Mihailau as soon as possible.
A 21-year-old believer Ivan Mihailau refused to serve in the army when he was drafted in December 2008. He had informed Minsk District draft board that army service contradicted his religion and asked for an opportunity of alternative service according to art. 57 of the Belarusian Constitution. He was refused due to the absence of any alternative civil service. He was also refused the possibility to serve in the reserve.

Mihailau was arrested in Salihorsk on December  15, 2009 and has been kept in Zhodzina confinement cell since then.
Minsk District Court returned him guilty of draft evasion crime on February 1.