Only 16 emigrants have asked for permits to return to Belarus – Cyberpartisans

July 17, BPN. A Belarusian hacktivist group says only 16 people have contacted a government commission on political emigrants since it was established in February, quoting leaked documents.

In line with Alaksandar Łukašenka’s edict, exiled opposition activists fearing reprisals can apply to the commission for permits to return home. 

Two months ago, Prosecutor General Andrej Švied claimed that the body had received over 70 applications. But Cyberpartisans say that the actual figure is four times lower, and that only two applications have been approved.

One was filed by Natalla Pratasievič, the mother of an opposition blogger who cooperated with investigators and was pardoned following his conviction of extremism and other crimes. The other is Filip Davydaŭ, who was recently interviewed by a state television crew.

Six applications were from real criminals, whose charges had nothing to do with politics, the group said. Most requests did not comply with the law because applicants were not involved in protests, did not provide enough data or refused to repent, it added.