Court acquits believer imprisoned for refusal to serve in the army

Ivan Mihailau, sentenced for his refusal to serve in the army because of his religious beliefs, has been acquitted. The decision was pronounced by Minsk District Court on May 4, informs BelaPAN. Let us remind you that the 21-year-old believer of the “New Testament” community Ivan Mihailau refused form the service for a fixed period in December 2008. Mihailau asked for alternative service according to the 57th article of the Constitution. He was refused because there is no alternative civil service in Belarus. He was not allowed to serve in the reserve either.

Minsk District Court sentenced the youth to three months of detention for draft evasion on February 1, 2009. A human rights organization “Amnesty International” recognized Ivan Mihailau a prisoner of conscience.

Mihailau’s case was sent for reconsideration in March. The guy was released with a written undertaking not to leave the country. Now he has been acquitted.