#sanction lukashenko

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich was kidnapped by the authorities yesterday, after his Ryanair flight was forcibly detained in Minsk. We now know that KGB operatives boarded the plane and initiated a fight with the crew, forcing this landing. The pretext was a “bomb threat”. 

Above are the reported pleas of Protasevich to a Ryanair flight attendant. We now know that Protasevich has been accused of inciting riots and hatred. The Belarusian government wants to apply the death penalty against him. 

This is an act of terror coordinated by false President Alexander Lukashenko. Ever since August 2020, he has increased his campaign of persecution against journalists and his political opponents. The fact that he felt free to divert an international airline shows his audacity. 

If European nations do not apply crushing sanctions against Lukashenko’s regime now, then we cannot claim to believe in freedom of speech or freedom of the press. 

FREE ROMAN PROTASEVICH. 

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Who is Roman Protasevich? Blogger arrested on Ryanair flight as aircraft is forced to land in Minsk

Roman Protasevich was flying from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, when the aircraft was forced to land in Minsk, where he was arrested.

Shocking details about the criminal arrest of Roman Protasevich, who was said to be shaking as he realised that the plane was being diverted from Vilnius to Minsk. 

If European leaders do not stand up against Alexander Lukashenko, then they should all resign. The persecution of Belarusians and Russians who speak out against repression and criminality has been allowed to happen in part because international observers keep quiet for the sake for diplomacy. 

Punish Lukashenko. End his regime. Free Roman Protasevich. 

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Political prisoner, Vitold Ashurak, 50 yrs old, died in a Belarusian prison yesterday. As we speak Raman Protasevich is being tortured/faces death penalty after being kidnapped via hijacking of a plane. The world better make Lukashenko and his boss, Putin, pay for this severely.

Researcher Olga Lautman on Twitter, describing the gross human rights abuses happening under Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. The link to President Putin cannot be ignored, since it is Russian money that props up Lukashenko’s state-sponsored terror against Belarusian citizens. 

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Roman Protasevich: Fears journalist arrested in Belarus has been tortured after Ryanair flight 'hijacked'

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya tells Sky News: "We're really afraid, not only for his freedom but for his life."

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya expressing fears for Roman Protasevich’s life after the Belarusian authorities kidnapped him yesterday. She rightly denounces the “impunity” of Lukashenko’s regime and calls for wider sanctions against his government. 

All I can say is that Western governments had better follow up their outrage with substantive, damaging action against Lukashenko’s regime. 

I have already watched with disbelief as these same governments failed to sanction all the names provided by Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, when he was arrested on spurious charges and sentenced to over 3 years in prison. 

Likewise, Alexander Lukashenko continues his campaign of brutality against Belarusian citizens, including false arrests, abuse, kidnappings, and torture of journalists and other activists. 

The international community must defend Protasevich now, or once again go down as cowards.