Deterioration of rule of law and human rights situation in Belarus makes securing extradition of prisoners difficult - Foreign Ministry

RIGA - A general deterioration of the rule of law and human rights situation in Belarus makes securing the extradition of the prisoners for serving their sentences in Latvia difficult, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Diana Eglite told LETA.

Asked whether Latvia intends to request the extradition of Latvian national and political prisoner Jurijs Ganins to serve his sentence in Latvia, the Foreign Ministry explained that all three parties - the person himself, the country where the person is serving the sentence, and the person's country of citizenship - must agree to the person's transfer to Latvia for serving the sentence.

The Foreign Ministry noted that Belarus has not ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Consequently, such issues are dealt with bilaterally on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, but cooperation is currently severely hampered by the general deterioration of the rule of law and human rights in Belarus.

"The principle of judicial independence is not respected in Belarus and this significantly increases the risk of bogus cases against EU citizens. In view of this and other security risks, the ministry strongly urges Latvian nationals not to travel to Belarus," Eglite stressed.

As reported, Latvian national Ganins has been sentenced to six years in a medium-security colony in Belarus, according to information on the website of the human rights organization Viasna.

Ganins was detained in Belarus on August 10, 2024. He was charged with inciting acts to harm Belarusian national security, insulting a public official and defaming Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

According to Viasna, Ganins' trial took place at the Minsk City Court on November 12, 2024. He was charged under three articles of the Belarusian Criminal Code, which relate to discrediting Belarus, defaming Lukashenko and calling for sanctions against Belarus.

The man had allegedly faced up to ten years in prison.

The Viasna website notes that the trial took place behind closed doors.