Doubts are being raised over a confessional video released by Belarusian authorities, which shows the girlfriend of detained journalist Roman Protasevich.
Speaking fast and rolling her eyes at one point, Sofia Sapega said in the video that she was an editor of a Telegram messaging app channel that had published the personal data of Belarusian police.
The video comes a day after Protasevich appeared in one, in which he confessed to organising protests against President Alexander Lukashenko and said he was being treated well since his arrest on a Ryanair flight on Sunday.
Protasevich’s father fears that he is being beaten while in detention, and said that his nose appeared broken in the video.
The Ryanair passenger jet carrying Protasevich and Ms Sapega, a Russian citizen, was forced to land in Belarus on Sunday dafter a bomb hoax, an act denounced by western powers as "state piracy".
The Russian foreign ministry said that Ms Sapega, 23, a student, could face criminal charges under several articles of the Belarusian criminal code.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition who operates from nearby Lithuania, said on Twitter that Ms Sapega appeared to be under psychological pressure.
Franak Viacorka, an adviser to Ms Tsikhanouskaya, said on Twitter that Ms Sapega's confession appeared to have been made under duress.
"She is guilty of being a friend of Roman. And they forced her to confess to crimes she did not commit," he said.
Belarus is the only country on the European continent that still executes prisoners.
Ms Sapega’s mother, Anna Dudich, said she feared for her daughter’s safety in Belarus.
"Of course, this is the main thing which I fear now," she said.
"She is a very tough girl in a moral sense. She will get through, she will withstand, I'm sure of that."
Protasevich’s mother Natalia said she has not slept for two nights and grips her phone tightly, hoping for any news about her son.
"I'm asking, I'm begging, I'm calling on the whole international community to save him," she said.
"He's only one journalist, he's only one child but please, please ... I am begging for help. Please save him. They're going to kill him in there.”
Meanwhile, Russia accused Britain of being paranoid about its involvement in the arrests.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was “very difficult to believe that this kind of action could be taken without at least the acquiescence of the authorities in Moscow”.
Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, said Britain’s phobia about Russia was clouding its judgment.
“This is a Russo-phobic obsession, an obsession with blaming Russia for everything and everyone,” he said.
“It will probably soon come to the point that Russia is accused of the very fact of its own existence.”
US President Joe Biden’s spokeswoman also doubted Russia’s involvement.
Asked if the White House believed that Russia played a role in diverting the Ryanair plane, Jen Psaki said: “We don’t have a belief that that is the case.”
EU sanctions on Belarus began to take effect on Tuesday as major airlines began to divert around the country's airspace.
The European Council is considering another proposal to ban Belarusian airlines from EU airspace, further isolating the country.
Protasevich’s father Dmitry welcomed action taken by EU leaders at a summit this week, saying that it would "help radically change the situation".
He expressed his disbelief at Belarus's actions on Sunday, saying his son "could not have predicted such an outcome".
"He was on a plane registered in an EU country ... and flying from an EU country to an EU country,” he said.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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