Belarusian political activist stabs himself in the neck during trial

Belarusian political activist Stepan Latypov stabbed himself in the neck on Tuesday during his trial in Minsk. Latypov allegedly stabbed himself with a pen in protest of political repression in the country and threatening to sue his family if he pleaded not guilty. Those reports, among others, the human rights organization Viasna Human Rights Center.

According to Viasna, Latypov was taken to the hospital unconscious, where he was placed in an artificial coma. The BBC, on the basis of the sources, stated that his condition is stable after a successful operation. Owns Viasna Videos have been shared On social media he is shown walking out of the courtroom. His lawyer declined to comment on his health against the Associated Press. Latypov is one of thousands of activists arrested during mass protests against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. Suspected of violating public order. He was also alleged to have resisted the police. Latypov could face up to ten years in prison.

Lukashenko came under fire again for the hijacking of a Ryanair plane to arrest the Belarusian activist and journalist Roman Pratasevic. The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions. On Monday, Lukashenko decided to close the country’s borders so that no one could leave Belarus.