Judge Ivan Hrynevich sentenced former political prisoner Alyaksandr Mauchanau to 1 year and 6 months in a maximum security penal colony.

His friend, Artsyom Ihnatsikau, was given one and a half years of suspended sentence with a probation period of one year,” Radio Svaboda reports.

We remind Alyaksandr Mauchanau and Artsyom Ihnastsikau were detained as they were collecting old rusty items at the unguarded abandoned land belonging to a forge factory for recycling. Alyaksandr Mauchanau says it was his way to earn his living, because he failed to find a job with a criminal record for taking part in post-election protests.

Alyaksandr Mauchanau was born in Barysau on June 22, 1988. He graduated from secondary school No. 22. He joined Zubr movement in the early 2000s. He worked at the Mechanical Repair Plant in Barusau, Gidrousilitel Plant, BATE Plant. He studied at the International Institute of Humanities and Economy.

He participated in the protests against the rigged elections on December 2010 and was detained on January 6, 2011, in his flat in Barysau accused of taking part in mass disorders and desecrating the official flag, which he tore off of the KGB building.

Tatsyana Charkas, a judge of the Frunzenski district court of Minsk, sentenced Mauchanau to 3 years in a medium security penal colony on March 2. He served his term in penal colony No. 15 in Mahilyou.