Belarusian Photographer Detained at Minsk Airport Upon Arrival From Georgia

Belarusian photographer Alexander Shishko has been detained at Minsk National Airport upon arrival from Georgia, several sources reported.

According to Dissidentby, a non-profit initiative supporting political prisoners in Belarus, Shishko, 32, who had spent recent years in exile, has been in custody since April 9. It said that a criminal case was opened against him in 2023 “for participating in Freedom Day [event] abroad” and that his apartment in Belarus was seized.

Belarusian media outlet Pozirk reported the detention on April 13, citing confirmation from human rights activist Roman Kislyak.

“Alexander had been living in Tbilisi since at least 2022. It’s hard to say why he returned to Belarus,” Kislyak said, according to the outlet. “Perhaps he missed his homeland and his relatives. I think he miscalculated the risk of detention and believed he would slip through.”

Kislyak also said Shishko had been mentioned in the reports of “Belarus’ propaganda officers” after taking part in Freedom Day rallies in 2024.

Belarusian Freedom Day is celebrated annually on March 25 to mark the 1918 declaration of independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. It serves as a major day of protest against Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.

According to the human rights groups, 908 people have been recognized as political prisoners in Belarus as of April 15.

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