Belarusian activist Gnyot: I am being held as a prisoner

“They are keeping me as a prisoner, yet at the same time I have to find the money to pay rent, to buy food, medicine, even water. I can leave my house for only an hour a day. I can’t get medical assistance, let alone live a normal life,” said Gnyot.

He explained that he “is currently living off donations” because he is unable to work, adding that he will be sent back to prison if he can’t pay rent.

Gnyot said the Appeals Court decision is “a very formal compromise solution,” which “suits everyone” but him.

“My prisoner status remains unchanged,” he added.

The Court of Appeals said the decision by the Higher Court in Belgrade to extradite Andrei Gnyot was made “based on an incompletely established factual situation, resulting in a significant violation of criminal procedure.”

Gnyot was detained at the Belgrade airport in October 2023, based on an Interpol warrant issued by Belarus for alleged tax evasion. The warrant has been revoked, and Gnyot has been under house arrest since June 2024.

In May this year, the Higher Court initially ruled to extradite Gnyot to Belarus, but following appeals from his lawyers, that decision was overturned.