(2 Jun 2021) German officials on Tuesday commented on a Belarusian activist who stabbed himself in the neck during a court hearing in Minsk to protest political repression and authorities' threats to prosecute his relatives.
"We took note of and saw this incident yesterday," German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday. "It's shocking and sad."
Activist Stsiapan Latypau used a pen to inflict the wound while he was sitting in court in a defendant's cage, according to the Viasna human rights center in Belarus.
"It also once again symbolizes the hopelessness that (Belarusian President Alexander) Lukashenko brings upon his citizens with his repression and also the brutal violence that is obviously being used there," Adebahr added.
Adebahr reiterated Germany's call for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, for moves toward a national dialogue and for "free, fair and legitimate elections."
She added that German diplomats were engaged in discussions at the European Union-level about how to proceed with the new sanctions against Belarus.
"And Germany is very much engaged in these consultations in Brussels, which are progressing well and intensively, in the various working groups, to make sure that that happens quickly and effectively," said Adebahr.
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