As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Florian Hahn (CSU), Susanne Mittag (SPD) and Manuela Rottmann (Alliance90/The Greens) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.

Siarhei Bryl was detained on September 23 at work in Minsk. His apartment was searched and all IT equipment was confiscated. On October 2, he was charged under Art. 293 (“participation in mass riots”) of the Belarusian Criminal Code.

Florian Hahn

Florian Hahn, CDU/CSU speaker for European Policy, has taken over a godparenthood for Siarhei Bryl and stated: “The elections in Belarus were neither free nor democratic. It is to be assumed that a large part, if not the majority of the people in Belarus did not vote for the old regime, but for a new democratic beginning. We in Germany and Europe must therefore be prepared in future to give more support to the people of Belarus on their way to democracy. I therefore call for an immediate end to violence, the release of all political prisoners, such as Siarhei Bryl, and new democratic elections in Belarus.”

Sviatlana Kupreyeva is a friend of Viktar Babaryka’s family. Sviatlana Kupreyeva is suspected of committing a crime under Art. 243 of the

Susanne Mittag

Belarusian Criminal Code (“tax evasion on a particularly large scale”).

Susanne Mittag, member of the German Bundestag for the Social Democrats, has taken over a godparenthood for Sviatlana Kupreyeva and stated: “I support the call for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, especially the imprisoned women. I am happy to take over the godparenthood for Sviatlana Kupreyeva, who has been imprisoned since June.”

Maryia Nestserava is charged under Art. 293 (“participation in mass riots”) of the Belarusian Criminal Code.

Manuela Rottmann

Manuela Rottmann, member of the German Bundestag for the Alliance90/The Greens, has taken over a godparenthood for Maryia Nestserava and stated: “My respect and esteem goes out to all demonstrators like Maryia Nestserava who, despite threats and violence, are peacefully protesting against the state terror of the Lukashenka regime. Threats, terror and human rights violations cannot suppress the quest for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Your courage is exemplary and inspiring. I call for the immediate release of all people detained in connection with the exercise of freedom of assembly in the post-election period.”