UN Experts Urge Belarus to Free Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski

A United Nations panel is calling for the release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, who has been imprisoned in Belarus for three years. Bialiatski, founder of the Viasna human rights group, was detained amid a crackdown following protests against President Alexander Lukashenko's contested 2020 re-election.

A United Nations panel of human rights experts called on Belarus to release Nobel Peace Prize-winning figure Ales Bialiatski, who has been imprisoned for three years. Bialiatski, the founder of the Viasna human rights group, was taken into custody following mass protests in 2020.

The protests erupted due to alleged election fraud, which granted President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term. Over 35,000 people were detained amid the government's severe crackdown, with many opposition figures either fleeing the country or being imprisoned. Viasna reports there are about 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus.

Bialiatski was initially arrested on tax evasion charges in July 2021 but was later convicted of smuggling and financing activities violating public order. Despite his imprisonment, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. The UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that his detention stemmed from his exercising freedom of expression and assembly, calling for his immediate release.

Belarus has recently released 18 political prisoners deemed seriously ill. Bialiatski's wife expressed hope that the UN's calls for his release would be heeded, citing his severe living conditions and lack of necessary medication.

(With inputs from agencies.)