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“Above all, I am personally incredibly grateful to the country and the president for this decision,” Protasevich said in Minsk on Monday, according to Belarusian media. After his arrest, Protasevich made several appearances on Belarusian state television, distancing himself from his opposition activities.
The spectacular arrest of Protasevich in May 2021 caused a sensation far beyond the borders of the ex-Soviet republic. He was on a flight from Athens to Vilnius with his then-girlfriend Sofia Sapega when Belarusian authorities forced the Ryanair plane to land in Minsk over an alleged bomb threat. Both were subsequently arrested. The Russian citizen Sapega was later sentenced to six years in prison – and has since been transferred to Russia.
Call for protests against Lukashenko
Protasevich was sentenced to eight years in prison in early May. The prosecution had accused the former editor-in-chief of the opposition channel Telegram Nexta of an attempted coup. After the 2020 presidential election, Nexta called for protests against the authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko, who had been declared the winner again. The vote was not recognized internationally. Lukashenko brutally crushed the protests, but has since been deemed even more dependent on Moscow.
Protasevich was considered a political prisoner. Relatives believe he made his pro-government statements in detention under pressure and torture. Hundreds of Lukashenko’s opponents are still in prison. Many have rejected a settlement with the power apparatus.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
