![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/%25D0%25A0%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BC%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD_%25D0%259F%25D1%2580%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2587.jpg/640px-%25D0%25A0%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BC%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD_%25D0%259F%25D1%2580%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2587.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Roman Protasevich
Belarusian journalist and opposition activist / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roman Dmitriyevich Protasevich or Raman Dzmitryevich Pratasevich (Russian: Роман Дмитриевич Протасевич; Belarusian: Раман Дзмітрыевіч Пратасевіч; born 5 May 1995) is a Belarusian journalist and opposition activist. He was born in Minsk, Belarus.
Roman Protasevich | |
---|---|
Роман Протасевич Раман Пратасевіч | |
![]() | |
Born | Roman Dmitryevich Protasevich (1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 (age 29)[1] |
Education | Belarusian State University |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2011–present |
Organization | Nexta |
Movement | Young Front |
Partner | Sofia Sapega |
As of 2020, Protasevich ran the Nexta [pl] Telegram channel together with its co-creator Sciapan Pucila (Stepan Putilo).[2] In August 2020, after Belarusian authorities tried to censor internet access during the 2020 presidential election.[3]
On 23 May 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978 (Athens–Vilnius) with Protasevich on board, was forced to land by a Belarusian fighter jet[4] and diverted by Belarusian air traffic control to Minsk National Airport.[5][6]
On 24 May 2021, nine organizations (the Viasna Human Rights Centre, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and others) made a statement together.[7] It said that he is a political prisoner.[7] On 31 May 2021, support for the political prisoner was undertaken by Cem Özdemir, a member of the Bundestag.[8][9]
On 3 May 2023, Protasevich was sentenced to eight years in prison.[10] However, on 22 May 2023, it was reported that Protasevich had been pardoned.[11] His pardon was confirmed the next day and Protasevich was released from custody.[12][13][14]