Sofia Sapega is a Russian citizen studying International Law and European Union Law program at EHU. While returning with her boyfriend from vacation, Sofia was getting prepared for the defense of her Master’s thesis in Vilnius. As a result of a cover operation by the Belarusian authorities, the student was detained by the Administration of the Investigative Committee for the city of Minsk on groundless and made-up conditions. Sofia’s groupmates and faculty members tell that the student is well regarded due to her academic performance and reputation in EHU’s community.
The University insists on providing immediate consular assistance to Sofia. In addition to that, EHU calls on international partners, donors, and human rights defenders to assist in releasing Sofia. The University stays in touch with the family of the student.
The community of EHU categorically condemns the impunity of Belarusian authorities and demands the fulfillment of international obligations of Belarus as well as ensuring rights and freedoms of citizens, as provided in the Constitution of Belarus. We stay in solidarity with all illegally detained Belarusians and those under unprecedented political persecution. We protest against the unjustified detention of the member of EHU community Sofia Sapega.
Currently, among recognized political prisoners in Belarus are EHU students Maryja (Marfa) Rabkova, Akihiro Gaevski-Hanada, and graduates Mikalai Dziadok, Wlodzimierz Malachowski.