Belarusian journalist and opposition activist Andrei Gnyot, facing extradition to Belarus on charges of alleged tax evasion, hopes Serbian Justice Minister Maja Popovic will block the move, according to “Insajder”.
The Belgrade Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing for August 27 following Gnyot’s appeal against a High Court decision approving his extradition. This is the second time the High Court has ruled in favour of extradition, with the first decision being overturned earlier this year.
„After the hearing, the court has 30 days to decide, but the final decision rests with Justice Minister Popovic,“ Gnyot explained. Serbian law grants the Minister authority to confirm or reject the extradition even if the court deems the conditions met.
Gnyot, who spent ten months in jail and house arrest after being detained at Belgrade’s airport in October 2023, fled Belarus in 2020 after criticising the regime and participating in protests following the contested election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
„I just want my life back—to go out when I want, not when I’m allowed… I want to see my family, to work, to live—not merely exist like a caged animal. I can’t make any plans for the future right now because if I’m extradited, my life is over,“ Gnyot stated.
Source: N1
