The author of the denim color theme for the Belarusian revolution, Mikita Sasim, may end up in prison for six months. The prosecutor demands such a harsh punishment for the defendant’s alleged evasion of the military service.
However, Sasim does not see his guilt. This is what he said as his final word at the trial:
“My guilt per se is that once I didn’t show up at the military enlistment office. I don’t say it was normal that I had to do it. But I ask you to take into account that I did not intend to evade the military service. Had I wished to do so, I would have kept on ignoring to come to the enlistment office. Thus I plead to you for fair consideration of my case.”
The verdict is to be announced tomorrow. Doubtfully, it will be fair, as Sasim’s case is far not the unique one. Many Belarusian young men are reluctant to serve in the army commanded by such a controversial Commander-in-Chief, many don’t want to go there having heard multiple stories of hazing, harassment, abuse, and humiliation – a derogatory heritage of the Soviet Army. Many don’t feel like wasting a year and a half of their lives whereas they could find a job or pursue academic careers. The mandatory military service law has made many Belarusians look for ways to flunk the army – simulating a sickness, bribing a doc or a recruitment officer, hiding away, not registering at the enlistment office, etc.
Sasim could be anyone, a boy next door, your sibling, you. And the reasons why the court may go harsh on him is evident – he is the flag bearer of a new democratic Belarus, the authorities do not want and fear. Alexander Lukashenko said before the election that the oppositionists evaded the military service and they should go to the army. Does Sasim trial omen the start of a new witch hunt?