Roman Protasevich

Roman Dmitriyevich Protasevich or Raman Dzmitryevich Pratasevich (; ; born 5 May 1995) is a Belarusian journalist and opposition activist. He was born in Minsk, Belarus.

As of 2020, Protasevich ran the  Telegram channel together with its co-creator Sciapan Pucila (Stepan Putilo). In August 2020, after Belarusian authorities tried to censor internet access during the 2020 presidential election.

On 23 May 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978 (Athens–Vilnius) with Protasevich on board, was forced to land by a Belarusian fighter jet and diverted by Belarusian air traffic control to Minsk National Airport.

On 24 May 2021, nine organizations (the Viasna Human Rights Centre, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and others) made a statement together. It said that he is a political prisoner. On 31 May 2021, support for the political prisoner was undertaken by Cem Özdemir, a member of the Bundestag.

On 3 May 2023, Protasevich was sentenced to eight years in prison. However, on 22 May 2023, it was reported that Protasevich had been pardoned. His pardon was confirmed the next day and Protasevich was released from custody.

References

Category:1995 births
Category:Living people
Category:Belarusian journalists
Category:Belarusian activists
Category:People from Minsk
Category:Political prisoners according to Viasna Human Rights Centre