Belarusian arrested upon return from Sweden after denied asylum – reports

August 28, Pozirk. A Belarusian national denied asylum by the Swedish Migration Agency was arrested in a politically-motivated case upon his return to Belarus, Sveriges Radio reports.
The man and his mother requested asylum in Sweden two years ago, citing criminal persecution in Belarus for participation in 2020 postelection protests in Belarus.
Last week, both were reportedly deported from Sweden to Belarus even though their asylum requests were denied in 2023. The man was arrested at the border, while the whereabouts of his mother remain unknown.
Until recently, migration authorities used to evaluate Belarusian asylum seekers’ applications based on outdated information, despite available new data on reprisals proving the intensification of politically-motivated crackdown targeting 2020 protesters, according to migration lawyer Stefan Krstic.
Last year, more than 100 Belarusians requested asylum in Sweden, yet only three were granted their requests, Dźmitryj Vasserman, a Belarusian community activist, said earlier this month. Not all of them were deported, as some appealed the decisions, while others chose to leave Sweden, he added.
While acknowledging Sweden’s support of the Belarusian pro-democracy movement, the activist noted its “extremely restrictive” migration policies and the impossibility of lobbying for the interests of Belarusian asylum seekers.
Sweden turns down Cichanoŭski's cameraman's request for asylum – Viasna
- SocietyProminent freestyle coach Kazieka dies aged 76The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyLabor ministry plans to tie childcare benefits to recipients’ actual incomeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLatvia stops 15 undocumented foreigners in clandestine tunnel on Belarus’ borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader discusses support for independent media with diplomatsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityPolice in Minsk region trained to suppress protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietySweden entitles Belarusians to alien’s passportsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: Belarus can’t sell fertilizers at home or abroadThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEstonian newspaper gets “extremist” label in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMilinkievič epitomized dignity and inspired many, Cichanoŭskaja saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- PoliticsNew cases of politically motivated persecution reported in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCore inflation remains at 4.8 percent in JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyBiełavija changes flight schedule over Russian airspace restrictionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja’s aide notes militarization, degradation of Belarus’ educational systemThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyInflation rate reported up in July after declineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian special operations troops airlifted to China for maneuversThe material is available only to POZIRK+

