On Sunday 6 September Iryna Sukhiy, member and former leader of the Greens in Belarus, was detained for participating in an unauthorised mass event in Minsk. Witnesses can report that Iryna was not in Minsk at the time. Iryna is the main caregiver of her 93-year-old mother who needs her care. In Belarus, primary caregivers cannot be detained in prison for administrative offences.   

Evelyne Huytebroeck and Thomas Waitz, co-chairs of the European Green Party comment:   

“Iryna Sukhiy must be released immediately. We call on the relevant administrative authorities to ensure a swift processing of the case. As main caregiver for an elderly person, she cannot be detained for an administrative offence.   

As European Greens we reiterate our vigorous call to release all peaceful protesters unlawfully arrested since the beginning of the protests in Belarus.  

The European Green Party stands with Belarusian people and emphasises that only a peaceful and democratic process, underpinned by independent and free media and a strong civil society, represents a sustainable solution.” 

Read the full statement here.