The regime continues detaining people returning to Belarus. According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, at least 55 such people have been detained in 2024 so far, with more than 200 cases recorded last year.
The Belarusian leader comments on the arrests of Belarusians returning home from abroad:
“The regime is trying to lure us back home in various ways. They’re setting up commissions for returnees, promising forgiveness for all ‘sins’. But it’s all a lie. They offer an alternative that doesn’t truly exist. It will all end in repression as soon as you cross the border.
Dear friends, I can’t tell you what to do – we all have our reasons for wanting to return home. But I sincerely ask you to take care of yourselves and weigh all the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ very carefully before traveling to Belarus. If there’s a concern that you may face persecution, please don’t test fate. Don’t risk yourself and don’t fall for propaganda tricks”.
