Imprisoned Belarusian Nobel laureate should be freed in prisoner swap, supporters say
Vilnius: Supporters of jailed Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Biattski said the human rights activist should have been included in the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War on Thursday.
Allies of Biatsky and other imprisoned Belarusians expressed disappointment that eight Russians (including a convicted murderer) were not included in the swap for 16 prisoners held in Russian and Belarusian prisons, most of whom were dissidents.
Some of the Russian dissidents released in the swap, including opposition activist Ilya Yashin, expressed anger and concern on Friday at being forced out of their country against their will.
The 61-year-old Wiacki, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence for financing anti-government protests after a trial the United States and the European Union denounced as a “sham” in 2023, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, a year after his arrest.
“When we heard that the deal was imminent, we hoped that someone from the Belarusian political prisoners would definitely be part of it. First of all, of course, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate,” said Alena Maslyukova, a member of Vyasna, a human rights group founded by Bialiatsky.
“It was a total disappointment and we still haven't gotten over it,” said Maslyukova, who now lives in exile in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
Among those released in this week’s exchange was Rico Krieger, a German citizen sentenced to death in Belarus on terrorism charges. Belarus is a close ally of Russia. According to Viasna, there are 1,390 people in prison in Belarus for political reasons, many of whom were involved in mass protests four years ago.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, faced mass protests following a disputed 2020 presidential election, the biggest challenge to his rule to date.
He has long denied allegations of human rights abuses.
Viasna said activists were still being dragged to court for their role in the protests, while Maslyukova said political prisoners were being held in harsh conditions in prison.
“They are locked in cold cells with no contact with their relatives. They leave prison in compromised health,” she said.
Biatski voluntarily returned from exile in Belarus in 2021, despite knowing he would likely be arrested. Supporters say if he is arrested, he may never leave the country again. By law, prisoners are required to seek pardon.
“I know his character and I am sure he will not ask Lukashenko for a pardon,” said longtime friend Siarchei Sis. “I don’t know what will happen in five years… It all depends on his health.”
