Great Britain Disturbing verdicts in Belarus and Russia
Western politicians have reacted with harsh criticism to the harsh verdict against US reporter Evan Gershkovich.
20.07.2024, 05:06
SDA
The Wall Street Journal correspondent, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for alleged espionage, had not committed a crime, said US President Joe Biden. Rather, he had become a target of the Russian government "because he is a journalist and an American", Biden said in a written statement. The US government is continuing to fight for the 32-year-old's release.
There is no doubt that Russia is holding Gershkovich unjustly. The US continues to stand up for press freedom in Russia and around the world and opposes all those who attempt to attack the press or target journalists. "Journalism is not a crime," emphasized Biden.
Criticism from Europe too
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke of a "politically motivated judgment". In a statement on Platform X, the Green politician accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being afraid of the power of facts. She went on to write: "The truth cannot be locked away."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed similar sentiments. He said the ruling was despicable and underlined Russia's contempt for freedom of the press. "Journalism should not be a crime," Starmer wrote on X.
German sentenced to death in Belarus
Meanwhile, a German citizen has been sentenced to death in the former Soviet republic of Belarus, according to human rights activists. The former German Red Cross rescue worker was accused of mercenary activities, espionage, terrorism, creating an extremist organization, destroying a traffic object and illegal handling of weapons, explosives and ammunition, reported the Belarusian human rights organization Vyazna, among others.
He was sentenced to be shot for his alleged involvement in an explosives attack. The verdict was handed down around a month ago, but has only now become known. The authorities in Minsk have not officially announced the sentence.
When asked by the German Press Agency (dpa), the Foreign Ministry in Berlin stated that the case was known. "The Federal Foreign Office and the embassy in Minsk are providing consular support to the person concerned and are working intensively with the Belarusian authorities on his behalf," it said in a statement. Berlin fundamentally rejects the death penalty as cruel and inhumane.
Selensky congratulates Trump on his presidential candidacy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Donald Trump by telephone on his nomination as the Republican Party's candidate in the upcoming presidential election in the USA. He also condemned the "shocking assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania" and wished him strength, Selensky wrote on the X platform.
Selensky's main concern during the phone call was probably to secure continued US support for Kiev in its fight against the Russian invasion - even after Trump's possible election victory. During the conversation, he emphasized the bipartisan support of the USA for the protection of Ukraine, Selensky wrote.
Trump had repeatedly criticized US arms aid to Ukraine during the election campaign. He has now also praised the "very good phone call" with Selenskyj on X. As the next US president, he would bring peace to the world and end the war, Trump announced once again. He did not give any details about a possible agreement.
There are fears in Kiev that Trump, as US President, could force Ukraine to make major concessions - including further territorial cessions - in negotiations to reach a settlement with Russia.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees warns of harsh winter for Ukraine
In view of the energy crisis in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has warned of a harsh winter and appealed for further aid. "Energy, energy, energy. I have never seen such unanimity anywhere," Grandi told dpa, describing his impression of talks with Ukrainian officials.
The people in charge are very worried. And ordinary people, especially in the eastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv, are already afraid of being left without heating in winter. At the same time, the UN representative urged the international community: "Keep up the support."
Child killed in rocket strike on major Ukrainian city
At least three people, including a child, were killed in a Russian missile strike on a residential area in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. "An impact on a children's playground near an ordinary house," Selenskyj wrote on Telegram. According to the regional administration, 15 other people were injured. Another four children are among the injured.
Selensky expressed his sympathy to the relatives and renewed his call for greater support for the country attacked by Russia.
During the night, another air raid alert was issued in large parts of Ukraine. The capital Kiev was also attacked.
Ukrainian drone attacks
The Russian state agency Tass reported several night-time drone attacks against Belgorod and Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia. The drones were all shot down by air defense, it said. Reports on social media of drone attacks against a refinery and a military airport near Millerovo in the Rostov district could not be independently confirmed.
