Headline: German Red Cross Worker Sentenced to Death in Belarus, Human Rights Organizations Slam "Arbitrary and Political" Ruling
Minsk, Belarus – A German national who worked for the Red Cross has been sentenced to death in Belarus for charges of espionage and treason, sparking outrage from human rights organizations and diplomatic partners.
Anastasiya Voznaya, a 26-year-old humanitarian worker from Germany, was arrested in April 2021 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, while working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as a logistics officer. She was accused of spying for Germany and transmitting secret information to Berlin.
On April 26, a Belarusian court handed down a death sentence to Voznaya, a verdict that has been widely condemned as arbitrary, politically motivated, and a violation of international law. The ICRC, the European Union, and several other human rights organizations have called for her immediate release and criticized the proceedings as a farce.
"Anastasiya Voznaya is a humanitarian worker who was providing vital services to the people of Belarus, not a spy," said Marie-Elisabeth Inglis, ICRC Director of Operations. "We are shocked and deeply concerned by this arbitrary and unjust verdict. We urge the Belarusian authorities to reconsider their decision and release her immediately."
Voznaya was arrested after a tip-off from an anonymous informant, who alleged that she had been sending classified information to German officials. During her trial, prosecutors presented no concrete evidence to support the accusations, and many have questioned the legitimacy of the proceedings.
Human rights organizations have slammed the trial as a "Kafkaesque nightmare," characterized by secret evidence, arbitrary extensions of the detention period, and the failure to provide adequate legal representation. Voznaya’s lawyers have alleged that she was subjected to physical and psychological abuse during her detention.
The Belarusian authorities have a track record of targeting dissidents, activists, and foreigners perceived as a threat to the government’s control. The case has raised concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the increasing repression of opposition voices.
In a statement, the German Foreign Office condemned the sentence, saying that it was "a violation of human rights and international law." Berlin has urged Minsk to re-examine the case and consider commuting the sentence to a more lenient punishment.
As the international community denounces the ruling, concerns about Voznaya’s well-being and fate are growing. Human rights organizations are calling on world leaders to put pressure on the Belarusian authorities to release her and ensure her safe return to Germany.
Meanwhile, the ICRC has suspended its activities in Belarus, citing concerns about the safety of its staff and the fairness of the country’s justice system. The humanitarian organization has long advocated for the rights of prisoners of conscience and the importance of upholding humanitarian law.
In a statement, Voznaya’s family said: "We are deeply saddened by the ruling and will do everything in our power to bring Anastasiya home. We implore the Belarusian authorities to reconsider their decision and show compassion in this case."
As the situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate, the international community is urging the Belarusian government to respect human rights and restore the rule of law. The fate of Anastasiya Voznaya and other prisoners of conscience hangs in the balance, serving as a stark reminder of the need for collective action to defend human rights and promote accountability.