The European Parliament on September 19 passed a resolution on political prisoners in Belarus that called on Serbia not to extradite Belarusian activist and journalist Andrey Hnyot (aka Andrew Gnyot).
The resolution, which was adopted 565-8 with 43 abstentions, also called on political prisoners in Belarus to be released, for the regime in Minsk to be held accountable, and for an end to the persecution of Belarusian citizens in exile.
The resolution noted the "abuse of Interpol arrest warrants to achieve extradition of political opponents from non-EU countries."
Hnyot was arrested at Belgrade's airport in late October 2023 on an Interpol warrant issued by Belarus, which has since been revoked. The arrest warrant accused Hnyot of tax evasion, a charge he denies. He has been under house arrest while awaiting Serbia's final decision on his extradition.
The European Parliament’s resolution calls on Serbia to refrain from extraditing Hnyot and for the EU and member states to monitor his case.
SEE ALSO: Belarusian Activist Submits Appeal Of Public Figures To Serbian President Calling For His ReleaseHnyot says all accusations against him are false and part of the Belarusian regime’s “horrific repression against political dissidents, journalists, and activists.” He says he would be tortured if he were returned to Belarus.
He is one of hundreds of thousands of Belarusian citizens who took part in mass demonstrations in 2020 challenging the victory claimed by authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka that gave him a sixth consecutive term.
Western countries do not recognize the results of those elections, and the European Union imposed sanctions on Minsk over the repression of participants in the demonstrations.
There are more than 1,500 political prisoners in Belarusian prisons. Among them are journalists, human rights activists, and politicians.
The European Parliament resolution urged the Belarusian authorities to supply information about their situation and allow them access to lawyers, family members, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"The Belarusian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release all of them," members of the parliament added.
The resolution also expressed concern over the estimated 300,000 Belarusians who have been forced to leave Belarus since 2020 and now face political persecution abroad.
The resolution called on the EU and its member states to strengthen sanctions against the individuals and entities responsible for repression in Belarus and work toward holding the Lukashenka regime accountable for its crimes.