In a significant development, Andrei Hniot, a prominent Belarusian filmmaker, has submitted a letter to the Serbian presidency, urging against his extradition to Belarus. The appeal, supported by over 780 artists from various countries, highlights concerns for Hniot's safety if he were to be returned to his homeland.
Hniot was apprehended in Serbia in October 2023 on an international warrant alleging tax evasion. Initially held in prison, he is now under house arrest, permitted only one hour of daily outdoor time while wearing a tracking device. The filmmaker asserts that the charges are fabricated, attributing the prosecution to his criticism of Alexander Lukashenko, who has been the president of Belarus since 1994.
The artist's background includes documenting the mass protests against Lukashenko's disputed 2020 re-election and the subsequent crackdown on dissent in Belarus. This Eastern European nation, often referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship" by some Western journalists, has been under Lukashenko's rule for three decades.
The letter, titled "Artists for Andrei," bears signatures from notable figures such as Juliette Binoche, the French actress and president of the European Film Academy, and Svetlana Alexievich, the Belarusian Nobel laureate in Literature. It emphasizes that Hniot is being targeted for his activism and warns of potential dire consequences, including the risk of death, if he is extradited.
"I think for now I have very important voices which are heard all around the world. My voice for now is silent. Nobody is listening to me. And I would like maybe (that) Serbian authorities can hear these voices."
Several international organizations, including Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the International Federation for Human Rights, have joined the call to prevent Hniot's extradition. These organizations, with their long-standing commitment to human rights and press freedom, underscore the global concern for the filmmaker's situation.
The case is currently in legal limbo, with a Serbian court initially ruling for extradition, only to have the decision overturned by the Court of Appeals. This situation reflects the complex interplay between international law, human rights concerns, and diplomatic relations.
Hniot's case is set against the backdrop of a broader exodus from Belarus. In the past four years, over half a million Belarusians have fled their country due to the government's harsh crackdown on political opponents. This mass migration represents a significant portion of Belarus's population, which stands at approximately 9.4 million as of 2024.
As the world watches, the outcome of Hniot's case may have far-reaching implications for artistic freedom, human rights, and international relations in the region.