German Politician Accused of Exploiting Political Prisoners in Belarus
- Political detainees in Belarus were employed on an onion plantation owned by Jörg Dornau, a member of the AfD.
- Many of these detainees were jailed for political dissent during the mass protests following the 2020 presidential election.
- The allegations of exploiting political prisoners have raised serious ethical concerns regarding the AfD's connections to authoritarian regimes.
In February 2024, political detainees in Belarus were reportedly employed on an onion plantation owned by Jörg Dornau, a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. These detainees, including Nikolai, were jailed for political dissent, with many having been arrested during the mass protests following the controversial 2020 presidential election in Belarus. Reports indicate that Dornau established the company Zybulka-Bel Ltd. in October 2020, amidst ongoing pro-democracy protests. The working conditions were described as harsh, with long hours in cold weather, yet some detainees preferred this labor to imprisonment. The allegations of exploiting political prisoners have raised ethical concerns regarding the AfD's connections to authoritarian regimes, prompting scrutiny of the party's actions and affiliations. The lack of response from Dornau and other AfD members further complicates the situation, as the party faces potential backlash for its ties to such practices.