Serbian Appeals Court Annuls Extradition Of Belarus Journalist

Court Cites Potential Ill-Treatment

A Serbian appeals court has annulled the extradition of a Belarusian journalist to his home country, citing concerns about his potential ill-treatment there.

Journalist Fled From Belarus

Raman Pratasevich, 26, was arrested in May 2021 after his Ryanair flight was diverted to Minsk, the Belarusian capital. Pratasevich, a critic of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, fled the country in 2019 after facing charges of organizing mass unrest.

Criticism And Concerns

The Serbian court based its decision on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits extradition if there is a real risk of ill-treatment or torture. The court cited credible reports of political prisoners being tortured and ill-treated in Belarusian prisons.

International Reaction

The decision has been welcomed by human rights groups, who have criticized the Belarusian government's crackdown on dissent. The United States and the European Union have also condemned the arrest and detention of Pratasevich.

Belarus' Response

The Belarusian government has denounced the court's decision, accusing Serbia of interfering in its internal affairs. The government has vowed to continue its efforts to extradite Pratasevich and other dissidents who have fled the country.

Conclusion

The Serbian court's decision is a significant blow to the Belarusian government's efforts to silence its critics. The decision is likely to further strain relations between Serbia and Belarus, which have been deteriorating in recent years.