The ex-editor-in-chief of Nexta responded negatively to the question of whether the Belarusian authorities promised him freedom in exchange for cooperation. He explained the work with the investigation with the desire to “help his country”
Roman Protasevich
The former editor-in-chief of the Telegram channel Nexta, Roman Protasevich, said at a press conference in Minsk organized by the Belarusian Foreign Ministry that he was not forced to cooperate with the investigation.
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Answering a question from a RBC correspondent about whether he was promised freedom in return for cooperation, Protasevich said: “I did not have any bargaining with the investigation, any participation in the events is voluntary.”
According to the young man, it also concerns his interview with the program “Markov”. Nothing personal”, which was released on the Belarusian state TV channel ONT in early June. “You know, my conscience is absolutely clear. I don’t betray anyone, I don’t betray anyone. I cooperate with the investigation, I help my country and I intend to help further, ” Protasevich added.
According to the ex-editor-in-chief of Nexta, his cooperation with the investigation is due to the fact that he is aware of the damage he has caused to the country: “Now I want to do everything in my power to correct this situation.”
At this conference, the young man also stated that he had “heard a lot of fakes about his health” and the information that he had been beaten in the pre-trial detention center was not true: “I am all right, I have no complaints about anything, no one has beaten me, no one has touched me.” Protasevich’s words about voluntary participation in the briefing did not convince some EU diplomats who were invited to the conference, and journalists: for example, a BBC film crew left the hall, believing that he was forced to do so.
Representatives of the Belarusian opposition previously called Protasevich’s interview with ONT, in which he admitted guilt in organizing and preparing riots, ” a record of the result of torture.” Nexta founder Stepan Putilo and Protasevich’s parents are also convinced that the ex-editor-in-chief’s statements made in the interview were made under pressure.
Protasevich was among the passengers of the Ryanair plane that flew from Athens to Vilnius on May 23. The airliner was forced to land in Minsk because of a report about a bomb, which was not confirmed. Then the plane was allowed to continue the flight, but without the ex-editor-in-chief of Nexta-he was removed from the flight along with his girlfriend, Russian Sofia Sapega. The Belarusian authorities accuse the girl of inciting social hostility and discord. Now both are in pre-trial detention.