Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich seems on state TV as critics decry his detention as a ‘hostage’-taking

Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich appears on state TV as critics decry his detention as a 'hostage'-taking

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CNN
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Detained journalist Roman Protasevich has again appeared on Belarusian state media, to the concern of government critics who fear the young dissident is being forced to address the nation under duress.

The 26-year-old told Belarusian state TV channel ONT on Thursday that he has “pleaded guilty” to organizing large-scale “unsanctioned protests” following the country’s disputed elections last August.

“I openly admit that I was one of the people who published calls to take to the streets on (August) ninth. As soon as I was presented with the documents and charged, I pleaded guilty immediately, under article 342 of the (Belarusian) Criminal Code, that’s the organization of large-scale unsanctioned protests,” Protasevich said during an interview on the show “Nothing Personal.”

Protasevich was arrested on May 23 after his Ryanair flight was grounded in Minsk, sparking…

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