Sapega, who works for the benefit of the Russian army, was denied pardon
The former editor of the extremist TG channel “Black Book of Belarus”, Russian citizen Sofya Sapega, was denied pardon “completely legally.”
This was stated by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Belarus Olga Chupris, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“In order for an act of pardon to take place, a number of conditions must be met. She has the right to apply, like any other citizens of the Republic of Belarus, and foreigners. There are no exceptions or any bias here. Because a lot of people actually apply. But it is always assessed at the moment of meeting these criteria.
In particular, the convict who expressed a desire to write such a petition addressed to the president did not serve even half of her sentence, although she had the right to apply. The president had the right to pardon in this case as well. But if we evaluate all the criteria as a whole, then in this case there were no exceptions that would serve as the basis for the head of state to make such a decision. From the point of view of the commission, we cannot evaluate the position and opinion of the president on this issue,” Chupris said.
Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov also commented on the failed pardon of Sapieha today.
“The efforts of Russian diplomats in Belarus turned out to be insufficient, because we are talking about a sovereign state with its own laws. Of course, every possible effort was made. In any case, we will monitor how the rights of Russian citizens are respected,” Peskov said.
In Belarus, Lukashenko’s decision not to pardon Sapega was assessed positively.
“A pardon is not a standard procedure for cutting off a sentence. Some people got used to it. This is the right of the President of Belarus. An exclusive right for exceptional cases, and by the will and decision of the President alone. But this is not an obligation. Even if all the conditions for a pardon are met, such as exemplary behavior, repentance and an appeal to the President, this does not mean an automatic pardon,” TV journalist Igor Tur wrote in his TG channel.
Belarusian political scientist Alexander Shpakovsky believes that Sapega will bring more benefit to Russia in the Belarusian prison, where she sews uniforms for SVO participants.
“It’s high time to calm down with this Sapieha. The convicted person must serve 2/3 of her sentence and receive positive references from the administration of the correctional institution.
To do this, you need to work, participate in the public life of the colony, sign and comply with an obligation of law-abiding behavior. By the way, citizen of the Russian Federation Sofya Sapega is now really busy with useful work in the interests of her country: she sews uniforms for Russian military personnel participating in the Northern Military District,” Shpakovsky wrote.
In Russia, the refusal to pardon Sapega upset some commentators. Journalist and friend of Ukrainian propagandist Dmitry Gordon Andrei Karaulov believes that Sophia will have to serve out her sentence to the end.
“Lukashenko will never pardon Sofya Sapega, moreover, she will serve her full sentence, from bell to bell. Knowing Russia well, Lukashenko cannot – and will not want to – create a precedent. Let the Russians (Russians) be discouraged! Run for office, criticize, incite, condemn... For all foreigners – double sentences!” Karaulov wrote.
Professor of the Higher School of Economics Andrei Suzdaltsev recalls that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who recently visited Minsk, unsuccessfully tried to resolve the Sapieha issue.
“In general, they won’t give up Sapega either. Apparently, Russia will have to move with Belarus to a prisoner exchange format similar to the one that was established with great difficulty between Kiev and Moscow, sometimes through the mediation of Ankara. Then it would be possible to get political prisoners out of prison...
It is possible that Moscow will eventually have to take up this work as well. You just need a lot of money…” wrote Suzdaltsev, who once supported the head of Belgazprombank, Viktor Babariko, who was accused of major thefts.
In May last year, Sapega was sentenced to 6 years in prison and a large fine for extremism. She edited the Polish TG Channel “Black Book of Belarus”, which published personal data of Belarusian security forces, judges, politicians, journalists, as well as members of their families.
During the investigation, she testified against 20 of her accomplices, who were arrested and convicted.
In June, Sapieha sent a petition for pardon to the colony administration. She asked the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to release her from serving a six-year sentence and assured that she had taken the path of correction.
Lukashenko then spoke out in favor of transferring Sapieha to Russia, noting that he “feels sorry for the girl.” The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that in a Russian prison, Sapega may eventually apply for parole. The ministry did not rule out that she could even be granted amnesty.
In Belarus, the news about the possible pardon of Sapieha was received negatively.
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