Kasya Salauyova faces two years of imprisonment

• 8.04.2008, 9:55

Kasya Salauyova has trial in the Polatsk city court today. The girl is accused of participation in unregistered organisation Young Front. She faces up to three years of imprisonment.

Katsyaryna Salauyova thinks she won’t be imprisoned. “Situation in the country is not so bad that a person may be imprisoned for nothing. I don’t think the authorities want to upset relations with the West. So, it will be better for them to fine me and release. My parents support me. They probably worry, but they have taught me that dignity costs more than life,” Kasya says in the interview to Radio Svaboda.

She also reminded that 8 Young Front activists from Minsk, Salihorsk, Nyasvizh and Baranavichy were fined for participation in the unregistered organisation. Only one Young Front member, its today’s leader Zmitser Dashkevich, was imprisoned for 1.5 year. Kasya became the tenth activist of the organisation, brought to criminal responsibility for participation in the Young Front.

Two criminal cases were instituted against Katsyaryna 29 November last year – for participation in unregistered organisation and for disrespect to state symbols. An administrative case for political graffiti (on the wall of the city executive committee building) was initiated against her on the same day. Kasya was expelled from Polatsk state University for “academic failure” on 5 December.

Meanwhile, people from various regions are coming to the Polatsk city court. Among them are Young Front activists, politicians, public activists and members of other youth organisations, including Mikola Statkevich, one of the leaders of the civil campaign “European Belarus.” He is sure supporting of the Young Front is a point of honour for all politicians.

“The Young Front has been suffering from attacks of the authorities for almost two years. I think, support and solidarity with the Young Front is a point of honour for all Belarusian politicians,” Mikola Statkevich says.