For Immediate Release
June 21, 2010
GOMEL, Belarus—Dmitri Smyk wanted to exercise his constitutional right to choose civilian service instead of military service. While this young citizen of Belarus had previously been found guilty of having broken the law and was heavily fined, the Court of Tsentralniy District of Gomel considered the case at length and on May 31, 2010, found him innocent.
Pavel Yadlovski, the Chairman of the Committee of the Religious Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Belarus, commented on the outcome of the case: “Justice prevailed with the ruling of the court. Dmitri will not have to suffer because of flawed legislation. The Constitution guarantees alternative civil service but the law on alternative service had not been worked out since the Constitution was approved 16 years ago. Hopefully the situation will not be repeated during the next draft.”
Dmitri is very happy about the ruling and the outcome of the case. He said “I felt great relief when I heard the court verdict. I’m really happy that this long and tiring process is over.” Now the considerable amount of money he had been fined can be used for his family, in particular for his three-year-old daughter.
Contacts:
In Belarus: Pavel Yadlouski, Telephone: +375 17 292 93 78
In USA: J. R. Brown, Telephone: +1 718 560 5600
Source: JW Media
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