Protasevich, the Belarusian journalist critical of Lukashenko, remains under arrest
On 23 May the Belarusian authorities, under the orders of Alexander Lukashenko, diverted and intercepted a plane travelling from Greece to Lithuania. The Belarusian government thus achieved its goal of arresting journalist and activist Roman Protasevich, who was on board with his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. Protasevich is a well-known opponent of the regime who was arrested on landing in Minsk.
Protasevich is still being held by the Belarusian authorities, while the Belarusian opposition and his family denounce the ill-treatment of the journalist. Since 23 May, the authoritarian Lukashenko regime has twice allowed Protasevich to speak on camera. The first appearance occurred a few days after his arrest. In the video released by Minsk, the journalist said that he was well and was treated well during his detention. He also adds that he is "cooperating in the investigation" and admits his "guilt" in organising "mass riots in Minsk". August 2020 saw a wave of protests against Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. The opposition denounced electoral fraud in the elections held that month, and Belarusian citizens took to the streets to demonstrate against the regime. During the so-called "March for Freedom" more than 7,000 people were arrested and tortured, while Lukashenko, the "last dictator of Europe", asked Vladimir Putin for help in controlling the country.
Protasevich ran the Telegram channel Nexta and organised some of the anti-government protests. Minsk accuses the journalist of "inciting public disorder", an offence punishable by up to 12 years in prison. He is also included on a list of people involved in "terrorist activities".
"These are not his words. He is scared and very nervous. I think he has been beaten. He has make-up on the left side of his face and his nose, possibly broken," Father Protasevich said of the first video released by the Belarusian authorities. The leader of the opposition in exile, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, agrees with the journalist's father and claims that "he is being subjected to torture". "He says he is being treated in the right way, but it is clear that he has been beaten and is depressed," Tikhanovskaya added. Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN Office for Human Rights, said that "information obtained under duress cannot be used against Protasevich in any legal proceedings". He also recalled that such confessions are prohibited under the Convention against Torture.
Sofia Sapega, Protasevich's girlfriend and advisor to the opposition Tikhanovskaya, is also being held. Sapega, like the journalist, has appeared under threat and claimed to be the editor of a Telegram channel on which personal details of the security forces involved in the crackdown on protesters in August 2020 are published. This act is considered a serious crime in Belarus.
A few days ago, Protasevich again testified in front of the cameras, although this time he did so on Belarusian state television. Once again, he admitted to being guilty of the crimes of which he is accused. "I openly admit that I was one of those who published calls to take to the streets on 9 August 2020", he admitted, under clear signs of coercion.
During the broadcast, the tiredness on the journalist's face can be seen, as well as the marks of the handcuffs on his wrists. "As soon as I was presented with the documents and the indictment, I immediately admitted my guilt under article 342 of the Criminal Code, organisation of unauthorised mass actions," he added. Protasevich's father also claims that "he was even given some kind of psychotropic drugs". Oppositionist Tikhanovskaya again warned about the situation and the torture he is possibly being subjected to. "It must be understood that he was forced to say this," she said.
At the end of the interview, which lasted an hour and a half, Protasevich began to cry as he covered his face with his hands, saying that in the future he would like to be able to get married and have children.
In view of this delicate situation, the European Union has decided to close its airspace to Belarus. According to diplomatic sources, this decision affects the national company Belavia and establishes an economic sanction against the country. European leaders are also preparing individual sanctions against those responsible for the flight diversion, possibly to be presented next week. These sanctions will also be joined by the United States, which warns of the dangers of flying over Belarusian airspace. Joe Biden has assured that his administration will develop "appropriate options to hold those responsible to account".