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Teenage Belarusian dissident celebrates 20th birthday in prison

12.05.2024 11:15
Mikita Zalatarou from Belarus was arrested aged 16 for protesting against the Belarusian elections. Still in prison, today is his 20th birthday. 
Mikita Zalatarou, teenage Belarusian dissident,  celebrates his 20th birthday behind bars.
Mikita Zalatarou, teenage Belarusian dissident, "celebrates" his 20th birthday behind bars. Photo: X/@Tsihanouskaya

The teenage Belarusian dissident Mikita Zalatarou is celebrating his 20th birthday today in jail: 

Mikita Zalatarou was just 16 when he was arrested in 2020 for protesting against the stolen elections.

Today, he turns 20 in prison. He has been beaten & is being denied medication.

Happy Birthday, Mikita! I hope that you, along with all Belarusians, will soon see freedom! pic.twitter.com/7Fz2GRGIek

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) May 12, 2024

Zalatarou was participating in the 2020 mass protests in Belarus, following the "elections" which handed Lukashenka his 6th "term" in office.

As we reported in 2020, Lukashenka's regime forcibly oppressed protests against the 2020 election results. This period was followed up by the 2022 constitutional referendum which further consolidated Lukashenka's power.   

Sources: X/Tsikhanouskaya, Radio Poland

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