New godparents for Belarusian political prisoners
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Johann Saathoff (SPD), Katrin Langensiepen (The Greens) and Andreas Steier (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners Dzianis Boltuts, Anton Bialenski and Yauhen Afnahel.
Dzianis Boltuts was arrested on 25 September. He is accused under Article 342 of the Belarusian Criminal Code of having disturbed public order.
- Johann Saathoff, Member of the German Bundestag
Johann Saathoff, Member of the German Bundestag and Russia coordinator, has taken over the godparenthood for Dzianis Boltuts and stated: “The people of Belarus are showing remarkable courage by simply demanding free and fair elections in order to be able to determine their own future. It is totally unacceptable that the security forces respond with violence, intimidation and arrests. Political prisoners like Dzianis Boltuts must be released immediately!
Anton Bialenski works as a volunteer in the campaign headquarters of Viktar Babaryka. He is charged under Article 293 (“participation in mass riots”) of the Belarusian Criminal Code.
- Katrin Langensiepen, Member of the European Parliament
Katrin Langensiepen, Member of the European Parliament, has taken over the godparenthood for Anton Bialenski and stated: “For months, many Belarusians have been demonstrating on the streets. The broad social alliance is fighting tirelessly for democracy, the rule of law and free elections. Some of them are putting themselves and their own families in danger. But so many brave Belarusians are not intimidated by the harassment and persecution of the Lukashenka regime. The desire for free elections cannot be crushed. As a democrat and European, I stand in solidarity with the protesters in Belarus. I call for the flagrant electoral fraud of 9 August to be finally recognised so and for new elections to be held quickly. Lukashenka must now give in so as not to aggravate the crisis of the whole country. Political prisoners like Anton Bialenksi must finally be released. At the same time, the EU and other countries must continue to put pressure on the Lukashenka regime through sanctions. We must also discuss reconstruction of the country with the Belarusian civilian population, in order that Belarus has a future perspective. Until then I stand by my position: the last dictatorship on the European continent must finally fall!”
Yauhen Afnahell is an activist for the European-Belarusian opposition group. He was arrested on 25 September and charged under Article 293 of the Belarusian Criminal Code (“participation in mass riots”) after security officers stormed his home.
- Andreas Steier, Member of the German Bundestag
Andreas Steier, has taken over the godparenthood for Yauhen Afnahel. On the occasion of the godparenthood he stated: “The pictures of the last months since the presidential election are shocking – the brutal violence of the security forces against obviously peaceful demonstrators leaves one speechless. And according to everything we know from statements by former prisoners and from reports by NGOs, terrible things often happen in Belarusian custody too. Not only do prisoners have no access to legal assistance – they are permanently exposed to the acute danger of physical and psychological torture. An independent legal investigation of any allegations is also not guaranteed, and the accusations appear politically constructed. The Belarusian authorities are therefore called upon to release Yauhen Afnahel and all other political prisoners immediately and unharmed.”
