Germany accepts Belarusian opposition members Babariko and Kolesnikova | EUROtoday

As of: December 14, 2025 7:04 p.m

The Belarusian ruler launched 123 political prisoners. Two distinguished ones might be admitted to Germany, mentioned Interior Minister Dobrindt. In the Report from Berlin he additionally commented on Russian cyber assaults.

Germany will soak up two of the Belarusian opposition members launched on the weekend: the distinguished human rights activist Maria Kolesnikova and Viktor Babariko. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt mentioned this within the ARD broadcast Report from Berlin.

The ruler Alexander Lukashenko launched the 2 and 121 different political opponents after years of imprisonment. They had been then taken to neighboring international locations similar to Lithuania and Ukraine.

“Getting along with the Americans”

The launch of the political prisoners was largely achieved by mediation by the US authorities. In return, the USA lifted sanctions towards potassium exports from Belarus, which is commonly referred to by the title Belarus.

The instance exhibits that “we have to get along with the Americans” – regardless of all of the variations and difficulties, says Dobrindt. Germany has an incredible curiosity in strengthening the Belarusian democracy motion in exile. “And that’s why we will be taking in two of the outstanding opposition politicians who were in prison today.”

“We also want to disrupt where the attacker is sitting”

In the interview, the Federal Minister of the Interior additionally commented on the cyber assaults and disinformation campaigns by Russia – with which Belarus is an ally. The federal authorities summoned the Russian ambassador on Friday as a result of it considers such assaults to be documented.

“We are constantly recognizing this hybrid threat – and increasingly so,” says Dobrindt. Germany is the goal of hybrid warfare to which one should react. You have to indicate the opposite aspect “that you know where it comes from.” But an necessary component can also be that you would be able to defend your self.

So far, Germany has restricted itself to redirecting such cyber assaults. But he’s additionally engaged on a legislation that will permit attackers to hit their infrastructure sensitively, says Dobrindt. “We also want to disrupt where the attacker is sitting.”