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Press statement

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office calls on Belarus to immediately release journalist Pratasevich

Date:
Place:
STOCKHOLM
Source:
OSCE Chairpersonship

STOCKHOLM, 23 May 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde condemned the circumstances of the arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich in Minsk on 23 May 2021.

“I am alarmed by reports that a civilian plane has been forced to land in Minsk in order to arrest independent journalist Raman Pratasevich” said CiO Linde. “It is a deeply disturbing and reckless behavior. I call on Belarus to immediately release journalist Pratasevich.”

She also called on Belarus to adhere to all its international obligations, including its international commitments in terms of media freedom and human rights as an OSCE participating State, and demanded an immediate explanation from Minsk.


Contacts

Communication and Media Relations Section

OSCE Secretariat

Tove Wennergren

Spokesperson

Task Force of the Swedish OSCE 2021 Chairpersonship