With Pardon of Roman Protasevich, Belarus Fuels a Tale of Betrayal Roman Protasevich became a symbol of the struggle for democracy when Belarus forced down a plane and arrested him. Now it has pardoned him, and former allies say he has turned on them.
Belarus Said to Pardon Roman Protasevich, Activist Who Was Hauled Off a Ryanair Flight Roman Protasevich had been sentenced to eight years in prison. The details of his 2021 arrest drew international attention.