The long-awaited appearance of Viktor Babaryko, a Belarusian opposition politician imprisoned for nearly two years, has sparked discussions about the state of political prisoners and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus. Despite showing signs of weight loss, Babaryko's condition raises concerns as he remains a symbol of repression under authoritarian rule.
New Images of Jailed Belarus Opposition Leader Viktor Babaryko Emerge After Months of Silence
New Images of Jailed Belarus Opposition Leader Viktor Babaryko Emerge After Months of Silence
Viktor Babaryko, a prominent Belarusian opposition figure detained since 2020, is seen for the first time in over 630 days, with concerns for his wellbeing and ongoing political repression in Belarus.
After more than 630 days of silence, images and a brief video of Viktor Babaryko, a jailed Belarusian opposition leader, have surfaced, providing a glimpse into his condition following prolonged incommunicado detention. In 2020, Babaryko was arrested while attempting to challenge the authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential elections that were widely condemned as rigged. His political team described the lack of communication as "torturous," emphasizing the emotional and physical strain of his confinement.
The recently released footage shows Babaryko, who has visibly lost weight and is dressed in black prison garb, sending greetings to his family, alongside photographs of him presumably writing letters to loved ones. The exact time of the filming remains unclear, but his team expressed relief to confirm that "Babaryko is alive!"
Roman Protasevich, a former activist and co-founder of the influential Telegram channel Nexta, played a key role in the release of these images. Protasevich was himself arrested in 2021 after a high-profile incident involving a diverted flight and subsequently cooperated with authorities following his release. He described Babaryko as appearing “cheerful” during their interaction. However, Babaryko is unable to comment on his own situation or circumstances.
The emergence of Babaryko’s images comes just before Belarus’s next presidential election scheduled for January 26, where, notably, no genuine opposition candidates are contesting due to systematic crackdowns. Concerns are being raised that political prisoners, including Babaryko and others, may feel pressured to seek pardons from Lukashenko to increase their chances of release, a move perceived by many as coerced compliance.
In recent months, the human rights situation in Belarus remains dire, with reports indicating that there are currently 1,258 political prisoners. The political climate has become increasingly hostile, with a significant absence of prominent opposition voices in the upcoming elections. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, leader of the exiled opposition and wife of imprisoned activist Sergei Tikhanovsky, characterized the imminent election as a “sham,” orchestrated to maintain Lukashenko's grip on power.
As families of political prisoners cling to the hope of their loved ones’ release, the photos of Babaryko serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom in Belarus amid oppressive governmental control.
