From prison camp

Lukashenko allows signs of life from enemy

(Bild: Roman Protassewitsch)

In Belarus, ruler Alexander Lukashenko has allowed images of imprisoned opposition member Viktor Babariko to be released to the public just a few weeks before his re-election bid.

Journalist Roman Protassevich published photos and a short video on his Telegram channel. They allegedly show Babariko (61) in the visiting room of a detention center.

The former bank manager was arrested in 2020 when he tried to run against Lukashenko in the presidential election. In 2021, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for alleged money laundering. According to media reports, his family has had no contact with him in the past year and a half. They only heard about his condition from fellow prisoners who had been released.

Lukashenko also allowed a sign of life from imprisoned opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova last November. The information also came via the former opposition blogger Protassevich, who is now working with the Belarusian authorities.

Lukashenko wants to be confirmed in office
Lukashenko has ruled the former Soviet republic by dictatorial means since 1994 and wants to be confirmed in office again on 26 January. Since the summer of 2024, he has released dozens of political prisoners in several waves. The previous election in 2020 was overshadowed by accusations of unprecedented manipulation and triggered mass protests in the country, which is closely allied with Russia. Lukashenko had them crushed by force. There are still more than 1,000 political prisoners in Belarus.