Ex-journalist Pratasievič says he had his fine overturned by court

September 9, Pozirk. Raman Pratasievič, the former editor whose arrest by Belarus’ security services involved passenger plane hijacking, said in a livestream interview hosted by two propaganda officials, that he had his huge damages overturned by court.

On May 7, Pratasievič and two other journalists with whom he had worked for the Nexta media organization, were ordered them to pay 23.8 million rubels in damages related to the 2020 mass protests. Part of that amount was to be shared with imprisoned opposition politicians Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, Mikałaj Statkievič, Arciom Sakaŭ, Dźmitryj Papoŭ and journalist Ihar Łosik.

In the interview from Dubai, Pratasievič said, “Some time ago, I filed an appeal, and this fine was generally canceled.”

He also said that he had worked as a welder for the last three months.

In May 2021, Belarusian authorities arrested Pratasievič after forcing a Ryanair plane carrying passengers from Athens to Vilnius to land in Minsk.

In May 2023, the Minsk Regional Court sentenced him to eight years in prison. Alaksandar Łukašenka pardoned him in May 2023.

Also read: Warsaw judge orders arrests of three Belarusians over 2021 Ryanair forced landing