Belarusian dissident and journalist Roman Protasevich, Who was taken off a Ryanair plane that changed course last month and was arrestedHe was released from custody and is now under house arrest. The man’s girlfriend, who was arrested at the same time, is also subject to the same punishment. Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsykhanoskaya calls this shift “good news”, but stresses that there is no freedom yet for opponents. It seems they are “still hostages”.
On May 23, 26-year-old Roman Protasevich was arrested after he criticized the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Protasevich’s 23-year-old girlfriend, Russian Sofia Sabiga, was also arrested. However, according to her parents, the woman has nothing to do with politics.
forced confessions
Shortly after their arrest, videos appeared in which Protasevich and Sabega “confess” to their criminal activities. According to many, the photos were shot by force. The journalist also gave many interviews in which he always made it clear that he was satisfied and was not forced to cooperate with the authorities. On the other hand, Lukashenko’s opponents do not believe that Protasevich cooperated voluntarily.
The case has already drawn outrage, including from international organizations such as the European Union, United Nations, NATO and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For example, European sanctions have been imposed against the Belarusian airline Belavia.
“causing trouble”
Although both opponents are now under house arrest, charges against the two have not been dropped. Protasevich, for example, faces up to 15 years in prison for “causing mass unrest.” Sabiga has also been accused of fomenting unrest, for which she could face a two-year prison sentence.
At the moment, Sapiga is serving her sentence in a rented apartment in Minsk. For the parents of the 23-year-old woman, the change was a surprise. It sounds like “we are in shock”. According to Protasevich’s father, neither lawyers nor the authorities disclose any information about their son’s well-being. So they think their son is engaged in a “political game”.
Read also. UN aviation agency investigates plane riots in Belarus
Lukashenko says Belarus acted ‘legally’ by diverting plane carrying critical journalist
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