Germany to Grant Asylum to Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava

Germany will accept two Belarusian opposition figures released over the weekend: Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka. This was announced by the German Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt on ARD’s “Bericht aus Berlin”.

The release of the political prisoners was made possible largely through mediation by the United States government. In return, the United States lifted sanctions on the export of potash from Belarus, according to the ARD report.

This example shows that “we need to be able to get along with the Americans” despite all differences and difficulties, Dobrindt noted. Germany is highly interested in strengthening the democratic movement of Belarus in exile. “And that is why today we will receive two outstanding opposition politicians who had been in prison.”