Soldier who protested against hazing released from criminal responsibility
A military court in Minsk rules to close the hazing case inquiry after the sides agree to peaceful settlement.
Soldier Akim Benesh protested against the harassment of younger conscripts in the army and went public about such incidents in his military unit. However, he was turned into a defendant. The Minsk Military Court has pronounced its verdict today, ruling to conciliate between the two sides.
Aleh Benesh, the soldier’s father, has told Euroradio about the trial:
“My son apologized for some of the situations in the army and said that he wanted to make peace: “I was kicked and I retaliated.” The guy who had beaten him also apologized and said that he wanted to make peace.He confirmed that he had hit my son a few times. He was asked why he had not mentioned the fact and he said: ‘They threatened me, I was afraid of responsibility."
The incident occurred in military air defense unit 30151 soon after the Swedish 'teddybear airdrop' stunt in July 2012.
