{"id":125516,"date":"2025-02-09T01:25:13","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T22:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/125516\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"opposition-leader-regime-uses-hostages-to-put-pressure-on-western-neighbors","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/125516\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition leader: regime uses hostages to put pressure on western neighbors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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February 9, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The eight-year prison sentence handed down to journalist and Polish minority activist Andrej Pa\u010dobut two years ago was Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s \u201cpersonal act of revenge,\u201d Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja said yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe regime shamelessly takes national minorities hostage to pressure our democratic neighbors,\u201d she said on X, adding that the Belarusian ruler punished Pa\u010dobut\u2019s courage and activism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two years ago, the Hrodna Regional Court sentenced Pa\u010dobut to eight years in a penal colony on charges of inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. In response, Warsaw has closed a vital checkpoint at the Polish-Belarusian border until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, Polish Foreign Minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski said various ideas were tested to release Pa\u010dobut. If the Belarusian regime wants to improve its relations with Poland and the European Union, it knows what to do, the diplomat said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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