Minsk court convicts protestant pastor of disturbing public order

November 11, BPN. A district court in Minsk has sentenced protestant pastor Vital Čyčmaroŭ to three years of restricted freedom without sending him to an open-type correctional facility, the Chryścijanskaja Vizija group reports.

People who receive this punishment are confined to their residence during non-working hours and are required to retain or seek employment. Law enforcement officers can visit their home or place of employment anytime to make sure they comply with the terms of confinement.

The charge stemmed from his involvement in trade union activities.

The Light of Hope Church pastor, who also chairs the Free Trade Union of Metal Workers grassroots cell at the Minsk Electrotechnical Plant, was found guilty of grossly disturbing public order. Since he has spent months in detention awaiting trial, he is expected to serve a total of 22 months. He was released in the courtroom to serve the rest of his sentence at home.

On April 18-19, police raided homes across Belarus to arrest independent trade union activists. Human rights activists declared more than a dozen of jailed unionists political prisoners. In July the Belarusian Supreme Court shut down all independent trade unions.

International trade unions condemned the crackdown.