TALLINN, Estonia — In a troubling turn of events, imprisoned opposition activist Viktar Babaryka, 61, has made an unexpected appearance in a video released by a pro-government blogger, marking his first contact with the outside world in over 700 days. The disclosure comes merely weeks before the January 26 presidential elections, which are anticipated to further solidify the grip of Belarus' long-standing leader, Alexander Lukashenko (NPR).

Babaryka has been serving a 14-year sentence in a penal colony after facing obstacles in his bid to run against Lukashenko during the contested 2020 elections. His last contact with family occurred in February 2023, and recent reports indicated that he had been hospitalized with signs of mistreatment. Since then, he has been entirely cut off from family and legal representation, raising alarm over his health and safety.

The European Parliament has vocalized its concern, urging Belarusian authorities to release Babaryka and other political prisoners. The video capturing Babaryka, uploaded by former opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich, who himself transitioned to support for the government after his arrest, shows Babaryka appearing visibly thinner and wearing a prison uniform marked with a yellow tag indicating his status as a political prisoner.

Pavel Sapelka from the Viasna Human Rights Center suggested that this televised appearance was strategically timed to mitigate accusations of the forced disappearance of activists just ahead of the elections. “The terribly emaciated Babaryka epitomizes the nightmare of repressions in Belarus,” he commented, highlighting how Babaryka's plight serves as a stark warning to those opposing the regime.

According to Viasna, there are currently approximately 1,258 political prisoners in Belarus, a statistic reflecting the widespread crackdown following the protests against alleged vote-rigging during the 2020 election, which resulted in mass detentions and severe police brutality.

Opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled Belarus after challenging Lukashenko, expressed relief at Babaryka's survival but stressed the need for transparency about the fate of other imprisoned activists, including her own husband. "We must now demand to see all others who have been held in complete isolation," she asserted, condemning the inhumane practices of political detention.

Observers continue to point to the stark reality faced by political dissidents in Belarus, with reports indicating that at least seven prisoners have died while in custody. As the nation prepares for the elections, the fear of further repression looms large, with authorities escalating their campaign against dissent.

Amidst all this, the international community watches closely, fearing that further violations of human rights will follow if Lukashenko continues in power. For more insights and updates on this story, visit Voice of America.