The Court of Appeals in Belgrade on Tuesday wrapped up the final hearing in the case of Andrei Gnyot, a Belarusian activist facing potential extradition. The court now has 30 days to decide whether to send Gnyot back to Belarus.
During the hearing, prosecutors maintained that all legal requirements for Gnyot’s extradition have been met. However, the defense team argues that Belarus is pursuing Gnyot for his political views, not criminal activity. They warn that extradition could put his life at risk.
Gnyot himself on Tuesday once against told the court that he is innocent of any crimes, insisting that Belarus wants him solely because of his political stance.
Gnyot’s lawyers presented the court with evidence that Interpol has cancelled the warrant that led to his arrest in Belgrade.
Dozens of citizens gathered outside the courthouse in Belgrade to protest Gnyot’s potential extradition.
Russian anti-war activist and founder of the Russian Democratic Society Peter Nikitin said that “Belarus is one of the most brutal dictatorial regimes, not only in Europe but in the world, and no serious country should even consider extraditing anyone to that regime under any pretext.”
It is obvious that politics play a role in this case, said Nikitin, who organized the Tuesday demonstration.
“We’re counting on the Court of Appeals to maintain its independence, to make a decision based on law, not on politics,” Nikitin told N1.
Source: N1
