Release Andrei Gnyot!

ICFR Calls for the Release of Belarusian Filmmaker Andrei Gnyot

UPDATE (NOVEMBER 2024)

After Andrei Gnyot's extradition detention in Serbia reached the legal maximum of one year last October 31, the Serbian court was forced to cancel his arrest — which provided Andrei, expecting Serbian prosecution to appeal the decision, with the much-needed space to leave Serbia and seek refuge in an unnamed EU state — as per his lawyer, Filip Sofijanovic, on November 1, 2024. The ICFR, though relieved to hear about Andrei's current move away from immediate danger, continues to monitor his situation closely, and will make sure to restart our campaign in his support should there be any developments for the worse.

 

UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 2024)

Last September 11, the international and internal pressure on the Serbian authorities has resulted in the annulment of the decision to extradite Andrei Gnyot to Belarus. However, the Serbian court has also ordered for the case to be retried, so Andrei is not yet free to return to his life. He has now appealed for his release with the support of an appeal letter signed by over 780 international and Serbian artist, creators and intellectuals, including Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and French actress Juliette Binoche. ICFR continues to monitor the case closely and repeats its call for Serbia's immediate and unconditional release of Andrei Gnyot.

 

Arrested and currently imprisoned in Serbia, Belarusian filmmaker/activist Andrei Gnyot is facing the immediate danger of being extradited to Belarus, where he is facing imprisonment, torture and even the possibility of a death penalty. The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) urgently protests against his arrest and calls upon the Serbian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Andrei Gnyot.

Andrei Gnyot is known for making documentary footage during the Belarus 2020 protests and recording athletes' appeals for free and fair elections. He is being prosecuted by the Belarusian regime for these activities. Andrei was arrested in Serbia because Interpol initially accepted the request of the Belarusian regime to search for him. Despite Interpol eventually dropping the request, Serbia did not release Andrei, and with their cooperation, Andrei could be extradited any moment.

Joining our colleagues at the European Film Academy (EFA), we stand in solidarity with the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA) and our Belarusian colleagues, several of whom continue to live under the pressure of the Belarusian regime’s constant persecution of its more outspoken and critical citizens. 

Per the BIFA: “We urge international organizations, and human rights groups to appeal to the Serbian authorities to prevent the extradition of Andrei Gnyot to Belarus and to secure his immediate release. Time is of the essence; act now to save Andrei Gnyot.”

As Amnesty International writes, “Under international law which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment, Serbia must provide protection to Andrei Gnyot. We call on the Serbian government to ensure his safety and freedom.”

The ICFR is deeply worried about Andrei’s well-being and safety, and we urge all our allies, supporters and colleagues to support and amplify the call on the Serbian authorities for Andrei Gnyot’s immediate and unconditional release.

 

The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk