About 20 released political prisoners sent abroad with certificates instead of passports
On December 13, 123 political prisoners were released from places of detention in Belarus, 114 of whom were then forcibly moved to the territory of Ukraine. As Viasna learned , about 20 people were moved abroad without passports.
A certificate with which human rights defender Uladz Labkovich was forcibly taken abroad. Photo: Viasna
Among those whose passports were taken away are well-known and media personalities, as well as those included in the "list of terrorists". The Belarusian side did not explain this in any way. Instead of passports, the political prisoners were issued identity certificates.
This was pointed out by Viasna human rights activist Uladz Labkovich at the first press conference:
"A certain selection took place. What the employees of the Belarusian special services who organized this special operation were thinking, I don't know."
Thus, as a result, people found themselves in another country without documents, money, or personal belongings, in a state of legal uncertainty.
This, however, is not the first time that Lukashenka's regime has practiced this. During the previous mass release of political prisoners on September 11, 2025, some of them also found themselves outside Belarus without passports.