EMinS: Reject request to extradite Belarusian journalist Andrey Gnyot

In connection with the Belgrade Higher Court ruling to extradite Gnyot to Belarus, EMinS called on the Serbian government to honor international conventions on the protection of political asylum seekers and to “cease with the practice of extraditing individuals persecuted for political reasons,” thereby violating provisions of the domestic Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection.

The European Movement called on other civil society organizations in Serbia to actively join in the defense of Gnyot and other Belarusian and Russian activists against whom the Serbian authorities are taking measures of expulsion or extradition contrary to international conventions and domestic law, it said in a press release.

Gnyot was detained in Serbia on October 30, 2023, based on an Interpol arrest warrant issued by Belarus. He remained in a Belgrade prison until June 5, when he was transferred to house arrest. Belarusian authorities charged Gnyot with tax evasion between 2012 and 2018. If extradited to Belarus, he could face additional charges for creating or participating in an extremist group, which carries up to 10 years in prison.

The Higher Court in Belgrade ruled on May 31 to extradite Gnyot to Belarus or tax evasion.