Opposition activist Kavalenka on trial for putting national flag on Christmas tree in Vitsebsk

Syarhei Kavalenka, an opposition activist, stood trial on April 20 in Vitsebsk for putting a national white-red-white flag atop of the 35-meter-high Christmas tree on the central square in Vitsebsk on January 7. He is facing charges of hooliganizm and disobedience to policemen. If convicted, he might be imprisoned for up to six years. The police officers are also demanding a moral compensation of Br10 million for having allegedly been degraged by the activist during his detention.

Kavalenka told Narodnaya Volya newspaper that witnesses feared to testify that the police officers beat him during the detention.