Dmitriy Dashkevich Leader of the unregistered Belarusian opposition movement "Young Front". Date of Birth: 20.07.1981 Country: Belarus

1. Childhood and Early Life
2. Political Involvement
3. First Imprisonment and Amnesty
4. Second Imprisonment and Release
5. Post-Release Activism

Childhood and Early Life

Dmitri Dashkevichwas born on July 20, 1981, in Yelsk district, Gomel region of Belarus. He spent his first five years in a settlement called Yagodnoye in the Magadan region of the Far East. Most of his life was spent in Staryye Dorogi town in Minsk region.

Political Involvement

Dashkevich emerged as a prominent figure in Belarusian politics during the 2006 presidential campaign, supporting opposition candidate Alexander Milinkevich. He actively participated in post-election protests and the short-lived tent camp in Minsk's central square.

First Imprisonment and Amnesty

After the camp's dispersal, Dashkevich was detained along with hundreds of other youth activists. On November 1, 2006, he was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison under Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code for activities on behalf of an unregistered organization. In December 2006, Amnesty International recognized Dashkevich as a prisoner of conscience.

Second Imprisonment and Release

In March 2011, Dashkevich was sentenced to 2 years in prison under Article 339 of the Criminal Code for hooliganism. He was released on August 28, 2013.

Post-Release Activism

Dashkevich remained actively involved in political opposition after his release. In September 2016, he announced that the "Young Front" movement would gather signatures to petition the Ministry of Culture to recognize the white-red-white flag as a historical and cultural heritage. Although he was briefly detained, the petition gathering continued. Despite the public's support, authorities ignored the signatures and fined the participants.