Belarus Opposition Leader Reappears After Months in Custody

Er Mukesh Singh

“Babaryko is Alive!” – Belarusian Opposition Leader Spotted After Months of Silence

In a dramatic turn of events, the Belarusian opposition leader, Viktar Babaryko, has been seen for the first time in several months, quelling growing fears about his well-being and confirming that he is alive. Babaryko, who had been imprisoned since June 2020 on charges widely regarded as politically motivated, had not been publicly seen for a prolonged period, sparking concerns among his supporters and human rights organizations.

The news of his reappearance was met with a mix of relief and concern. Babaryko, a former banker and a leading figure in the Belarusian opposition movement, was arrested amid widespread protests against President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed reelection. His arrest came during a time of heightened political unrest, where many opposition figures were detained, silenced, or forced into exile.

Babaryko’s supporters, who had been rallying for his release and demanding justice, expressed their joy and relief at the confirmation of his survival. “Babaryko is alive!” became a rallying cry for those advocating for political change in Belarus.

The opposition leader was photographed in a rare appearance during a brief court session, where he appeared calm, despite the long period of uncertainty surrounding his fate. The images sent a powerful message to both his supporters and the regime, showing that his spirit remains unbroken despite his imprisonment.

His appearance also raised questions about his conditions while in detention, as his family and legal team had been left in the dark about his health and treatment. Human rights groups had been particularly concerned about the lack of communication from authorities, which only fueled rumors and speculations about his fate.

Following the court session, Babaryko’s lawyers issued a statement, confirming that he is in good health and continues to stand firm in his political beliefs. However, they also noted that the conditions of his detention remain harsh, and they are continuing to press for his release and a fair trial.

The international community, including Western governments and human rights organizations, has long condemned the Belarusian government’s crackdown on opposition leaders, activists, and journalists. Babaryko’s reappearance serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing repression in the country and the struggle for democracy and human rights.

Babaryko’s supporters remain hopeful that this moment of visibility will be the first step toward his eventual release. They have vowed to continue fighting for his freedom and for the rights of all political prisoners in Belarus.

As tensions persist between the Belarusian government and the opposition, the world is watching closely, awaiting further developments in the case of Viktar Babaryko and his fellow activists who continue to face imprisonment for their stand against the Lukashenko regime.

“Babaryko is Alive!” – First Images of Jailed Belarusian Opposition Leader After Over 600 Days

In a rare and highly anticipated development, Viktor Babaryko, the imprisoned Belarusian opposition leader, has been seen for the first time in over 630 days. The images and video released recently were a welcome moment for his family, supporters, and political team, who have described the time without any contact or updates on his condition as “torturous.”

Babaryko, a former banker who attempted to challenge authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, was arrested in June 2020 and has been held incommunicado ever since. His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on political opposition following the disputed election, which was widely condemned by the international community as rigged. Despite his detention, Babaryko’s political team and supporters continued to rally for his release and kept his cause alive.

The recent video, released by Roman Protasevich, a former activist and co-founder of the popular Telegram channel Nexta, shows Babaryko sending greetings to his family from behind bars. The short clip, along with three accompanying photographs—including one showing Babaryko writing a letter—marks the first confirmed appearance of the politician since his arrest. Though the exact time the images were taken remains unclear, it is evident that Babaryko has lost significant weight since his detention.

In the video, Protasevich, who was himself arrested and later released after cooperating with the Belarusian authorities, claimed that Babaryko appeared in good spirits. He described their interaction as warm, noting that they had “chatted, joked, and even laughed” during their meeting. However, Babaryko was unable to comment or speak for himself, and the authorities continue to restrict his communication.

Babaryko’s imprisonment and the release of these images come ahead of Belarus’s presidential election on January 26, a vote widely seen as a facade to solidify Lukashenko’s hold on power. There are reports that some high-profile political prisoners, including Babaryko, may be under pressure to seek a pardon from Lukashenko in exchange for their release. However, there are no genuine opposition candidates permitted to participate in the election, signaling the government’s unwillingness to allow any challenge to its authority.

Babaryko’s former campaign team member, Maria Kolesnikova, who became a prominent figure in the 2020 protests against the election results, has also been held incommunicado for extended periods. Similar images of Kolesnikova were released last November, but she has since disappeared from the public eye.

Despite these sporadic glimpses into the lives of imprisoned opposition leaders, the broader political climate in Belarus remains tense. The human rights organization Viasna currently estimates that there are over 1,200 political prisoners in the country, many of whom remain out of sight and subject to harsh treatment.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition and wife of political activist Sergei Tikhanovsky, has condemned the upcoming presidential election as a “sham” orchestrated by Lukashenko to maintain his grip on power. Tikhanovskaya, who ran in place of her husband in 2020 after his arrest, has vowed to continue fighting for the rights of Belarusians despite the oppressive regime.

The recent images of Babaryko serve as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to oppose the authoritarian government of Belarus. As the country prepares for yet another election under Lukashenko’s rule, the world watches closely, awaiting further developments and hoping for the eventual freedom of those still held behind bars.

Courtesy: DW News

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