Political prisoner Natallia Hersche released from prison
Natallia Hersche (in the middle) with her brother and a Swiss diplomat after being released. Source: @ignaziocassis
Political prisoner Natallia Hersche has been released today, on February 18, 2022, after 17 months of imprisonment.
This was announced by the President of Switzerland and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
“I am glad that Switzerland's diplomatic efforts have paid off. We and the Swiss Embassy in Belarus continue to call for the release of all those arrested for exercising their political and civil rights,” Cassis added.
Natallia was welcomed by her brother and a Switzerland's diplomat and now returns to Switzerland.
Natallia Hersche has dual citizenship in Belarus and Switzerland. She has been living in Switzerland for the last 12 years with her minor daughter.
On September 19, 2020, while visiting Minsk, she joined the All-Women March near the Kamaroŭski market. This was the only time Natallia took part in a protest. On that day, she was arrested and charged under the infamous Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code (Participation in an unauthorized mass event). Later, a criminal case under Art. 363 of the Criminal Code (Кesistance to a police officer) was brought against her.
On December 7, 2020, the woman was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in a general-security penal colony.
End of January 2022, Natallia went on a four-day hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions in the prison.
Throughout her detention, the political prisoner was supported by Swiss diplomats, who persistently demanded her release and eventually succeeded.
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