Criminal case may be started against Kavalenka for white-red-white flag on Vitsebsk New Year Tree

Radio “Liberty” informs about it referring to Vitsebsk policemen. The detained activist has been delivered to Kastrychnitski District Department of the Interior of Vitsebsk. Policemen are going to start a criminal case for hooliganism against the detained opposition member.

Syarhei Kavalenka is being interrogated now and will stay in the conferment cell until January 11. The further fate of the guy will be decided by the office of the Public Prosecutor – it will either start a criminal case for the action policemen classify as hooliganism or it may be an administrative case.
Let us remind you that a white-red-white flag appeared on the main Vitsebsk New Year Tree in Victory Square at midday. Emergency Control Ministry employees took the flag off the tree with the help of a special ladder needed to reach the top of the tree that was 40 meters tall. Syarhei Kavalenka who had hoisted the flag was detained by policemen. He managed to phone journalists from the police car and say that the flag had been hoisted in honour of Christmas. Kavalenka was not allowed to continue the conversation and could not inform that he had been detained.