Embassy will assist Russians Sofia Sapega and Hiru Dudnikov, against whom criminal cases were initiated against Belarus, promised in an interview with TASS new ambassador of the Russian Federation in Minsk Boris Gryzlov.
Gryzlov asked what strategy will adhere to the Embassy on Sakegi, Dudnikov and other Russians, and is there a chance that they will be liberated or will go serving a sentence to their homeland.
“Assistance to the citizens of our country, in a difficult life situation, this is one of the important tasks of the embassy. And the degree of attention to such citizens is not directly dependent on public resonance,” said Gryzlov.
According to him, in relation to all Russian citizens there is a single approach. “We are talking about the provision of legal protection of their legal rights and interests, ensuring fair justice, compliance with international agreements, other satisfaction. With these principles, we will be guided by”, – concluded Gryzlov.
Russian Sofia Sapega was detained on May 23, 2021 together with the founder of the Telegram channel NEXTA Roman Protasevich. They flew from Athens to Vilnius, and the plane eventually sat down in Minsk after a message about an explosive device on board. Information about the threat of an explosion was not confirmed. Sarega is accused of creating Telegram-channels, which discredited the Belarusian power and focused on social distribution. It is directed to court.
Egor Dudnikov was also detained in May. He was charged with viscolors for the Belarusian opposition during mass protests. On December 27, the Court sentenced the 21-year-old Russian by 11 years of the colony of the reinforced regime on charges of inciting social hostility and calls to actions against national security.