Supporters say the imprisoned Belarusian Nobel laureate should have been freed in a prisoner exchange
Vilnius: Belarusian supporters of imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatsky say the human rights activist should have participated in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War on Thursday.
Bialiatsky's allies and other imprisoned Belarusians were disappointed that they did not take part in the swap, in which eight Russians, including a convicted murderer, were exchanged for 16 prisoners in Russian and Belarusian prisons, many of whom were dissidents.
Some of the Russian dissidents freed in the swap, including opposition activist Ilya Yashin, expressed anger or caution on Friday at being deported against their will.
Bialiatski, 61, who is serving a 10-year sentence for financing anti-government protests after a 2023 trial condemned by the United States and the European Union as a “kingdom,” will receive the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Received – a year after him. Capture.
When we heard that a deal was imminent, we hoped that one of the Belarusian political prisoners would be part of it. Of course, first of all, the prisoner winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
“It was a complete disappointment and we still haven't gotten over it,” said Masliukova, who now lives in exile in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.
Among those freed in this week's swap was German national Rico Krieger, who was charged with terrorism in Belarus, a close ally of Russia, where – according to Vyasna – 1,390 people are in prison for political reasons – many of them linked to protests. Masses are related – they are in prison, he was sentenced to death. years ago.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has faced widespread protests after the controversial 2020 presidential election – the biggest challenge to his rule.
He has long denied allegations of human rights violations.
Vyasna says activists are still being brought to court for their role in the protests, and Masliukova said political prisoners face harsh conditions in prison.
They are kept in cold cells without contact with relatives. They leave the prison with damaged health.
Bialiatsky voluntarily returned from exile to Belarus in 2021, despite knowing he would likely face arrest, which supporters say means he may no longer wish to leave the country, a process that legally renders a prisoner obliges to ask for pardon.
“I know his character and I am sure that he will not ask for pardon from Lukashenko in any way,” said an old friend. I don't know what will happen in the next five years … it all depends on his health.
