Events

22 Nov 2024

Lukashenko signs decree to grant citizenship to 257 people from 16 states

An archive photo

MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decrees on granting citizenship and on granting shelter on 22 November, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.

The head of state granted applications from foreign citizens and stateless persons, who live in the country and seek Belarus’ citizenship.

Belarus’ citizenship was granted to 257 individuals, including 15 underage ones. They came from 16 countries including Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Syria, Palestine, and other ones.

Apart from that, the Belarus president granted shelter to Tomasz Szmydt, who faces political persecution in Poland.

Polish national Tomasz Szmydt granted political asylum in Belarus

MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decrees on admission to citizenship and asylum on 22 November, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The Belarusian president granted asylum to Tomasz Szmydt, who is persecuted for political reasons in Poland.

Tomasz Szmydt is a judge of the 2^nd Department of the Voivodeship Administrative Court of Warsaw. Previously, he held various positions in the judiciary and justice system of Poland. He was the head of the legal department at the National Council of Judiciary of Poland. Due to disagreement with the policy and actions of the authorities, he was forced to leave Poland in May 2024 and asked for protection from the Belarusian authorities. He is currently in Belarus. He was persecuted and threatened for his independent political position.