Breaking News: Serbian Court Ratifies Extradition of Journalist Andrey Gnyot to Belarus

Journalist faces potential persecution in Belarus

Belgrade - A Serbian court has approved the extradition of Belarusian journalist Andrey Gnyot to his home country, sparking concerns about his safety and the suppression of free press in Belarus. Gnyot, who fled Belarus in 2021, is a prominent critic of the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The court's decision has been widely condemned by international media watchdogs and human rights organizations. They argue that returning Gnyot to Belarus would put him at grave risk of persecution, arbitrary detention, and torture.

International concern over media freedom in Belarus

Reporters Without Borders: Belarus ranks 153rd in press freedom

According to Reporters Without Borders, Belarus ranks 153rd out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom. The organization has documented numerous cases of journalists being harassed, jailed, and even killed for their reporting.

Amnesty International: Crackdown on independent media

Amnesty International has accused the Belarusian government of conducting a systematic crackdown on independent media and silencing critical voices.

Gnyot's role in exposing government corruption

Gnyot, a former editor of the Belarusian news website Tut.by, has been a vocal critic of the Lukashenko regime. He has published numerous articles exposing government corruption, human rights abuses, and electoral fraud.

In 2021, Tut.by was shut down by the Belarusian authorities, and Gnyot was forced to flee the country to avoid arrest.

Diplomatic efforts to secure Gnyot's release

Several Western countries have called on Serbia to reconsider its decision to extradite Gnyot. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all expressed concern about his safety and the erosion of media freedom in Belarus.

The Serbian government has not yet commented on the international pressure. It remains unclear whether Gnyot will ultimately be extradited to Belarus.