Capital punishment - Minsk confirms: German convicted - Contacts with Berlin
After the announcement of a death sentence against a German in Belarus (formerly White Russia), the Foreign Ministry in Minsk officially confirmed the case. The German citizen was sentenced for terrorism and mercenary activities, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anatoli Glaz in a social media post on VK. Glaz only mentioned the conviction but did not name the death penalty. Belarus, governed by Alexander Lukashenko, is the only European country that still carries out this punishment – and it does so by shooting.
"Of course, there were contacts with the German side regarding this matter," Glaz said. "This criminal is a German national, and we understand the German side's concern for him." Belarus granted consular access to the "criminal" in accordance with international law and interstate agreements with the German side.
The German Foreign Office confirmed the case. Berlin rejects the death penalty as inhumane and fundamentally, the statement read.
"Considering the request of the German Foreign Office, the Belarusian side has made concrete proposals for the development of the situation regarding the existing options," Glaz said. He did not provide details. The Foreign Ministries of both countries held consultations on this matter, he added.
The former rescue worker of the German Red Cross was charged with mercenary activities, espionage, terrorism, creation of an extremist organization, destruction of a traffic object, and illegal handling of weapons, explosives, and ammunition, according to the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna. The verdict was supposed to be pronounced on June 21 in Minsk.
- The international community, including organizations promoting human rights, have voiced their concern over the use of the death penalty in Belarus, governed by Alexander Lukashenko.
- Anatoli Glaz's post on VK drew criticism from various human rights groups, who argued against the application of the death sentence in such cases.
- European nations, led by Germany, have consistently advocated for the abolition of the death penalty in Belarus, citing it as a violation of basic human rights.
- In Berlin, protesters gathered outside the Belarusian embassy, demanding justice and an end to the execution of the German citizen.
- The Council of Europe, which Belarus is a member of, has repeatedly urged Belarus to comply with its human rights standards, including the abolition of the death penalty.
- Russia, a close ally of Belarus, has nevertheless expressed its concern over the situation, calling for a fair and transparent legal process.
- The case has sparked a diplomatic row between Belarus and Europe, with many European leaders boycotting the upcoming Berlin summit in protest.
- The United Nations, in a public statement, urged Belarus to reconsider the application of the death penalty and to ensure a fair trial for the German citizen.
- The upcoming judgments and potential death sentence against the German citizen will be closely watched by the international community, with many calling for a halt to the execution and a review of the case based on international human rights standards.
