Trial Of Belarusian Political Activist Kavalenka Begins

The trial of Belarusian political activist Syarhey Kavalenka began today in the city of Vitsebsk. Kavalenka has been charged with parole violations after he was sentenced in 2010 to "limited freedom" for illegally displaying the banned Belarusian flag adopted by the opposition. Kavelenka’s mother and wife were present in the courtroom. Kavalenka took off his shirt to show how emaciated he had become while on hunger strike. RFE/RL’s Belarus Service