Roman Protasevich | |
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Роман Протасевич Раман Пратасевіч | |
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Born | Roman Dmitryevich Protasevich 5 May 1995[1] |
Education | Belarusian State University |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2011–present |
Organization | Nexta |
Movement | Young Front |
Partner | Sofia Sapega |
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.
As of 2020, Protasevich ran the NextaTelegram 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]