Belarus filmmaker appeals to Serbia against extradition fears

Andrei Hniot, a Belarus filmmaker and critic of the authoritarian regime in Minsk, was arrested in Serbia in October on an international warrant related to tax evasion charges. He has been under house arrest since then, restricted to leaving his apartment for only one hour a day while wearing a tracking ankle bracelet. Hniot claims the charges are fabricated and stem from his vocal opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko, particularly his documentation of the protests following the disputed 2020 election and the subsequent crackdown on dissent. In a bid to prevent his extradition to Belarus, where he fears torture or death, Hniot submitted a letter to the Serbian presidency, supported by over 780 artists from various countries. This letter, titled 'Artists for Andrei,' highlights the dangers he faces if returned to his home country and emphasizes that his legal troubles are politically motivated. Notable signatories include French actress Juliette Binoche and Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich. The Serbian court initially ruled in favor of Hniot's extradition, but this decision was overturned by the Court of Appeals, which has ordered a new deliberation on the matter. The timeline for this new legal process remains uncertain, leaving Hniot's fate hanging in the balance. International organizations, including Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have urged Serbia not to extradite Hniot, advocating for his safety and highlighting the broader implications for artistic freedom and human rights in Belarus. Hniot's case has drawn significant attention, reflecting the ongoing struggle against authoritarianism in the region.