Directors and actors urge Serbia not to extradite activist to Belarus

Dozens from European film industry and other artists write letter warning Andrei Gnyot could face death penalty

Dozens of European directors, actors and other artists have called on Serbian authorities not to extradite a Belarusian activist back to Belarus. In an open letter published on Monday, the artists warn that Andrei Gnyot faces imprisonment, torture and even the death penalty" if sent back to Belarus.

Gnyot, a film-maker who was instrumental in organising an alliance of athletes to oppose the dictatorial rule of Alexander Lukashenko, was detained on arrival in Serbia last year after Belarus issued a warrant for his arrest on tax evasion charges via Interpol. He says the charges are political.