Belarusian Activist Allegedly Tries To Cut Throat During Court Hearing As Political Row Heats Up

A man said to be a Belarusian activist allegedly behind the setting up of a social media of a political opposition reportedly stabbed himself in court according to a rights group and opposition media. The man was identified as Stepan Latypov who collapsed on Tuesday when he appeared to use a pen to stab himself in the neck.

Latypov was taken to a hospital after the incident but is reportedly in satisfactory condition. He is being accused of setting up the social media of the opposition and resisting arrest last September. The 41-year-old has denied the charges as President Alexander Lukashenko ramps up his drive to crack down on the opposition linked to the controversial election victory in August.

The incident happened as the father of the accused was given a witness testimony in court, the rights group Viasna narrated. Further to their report, Latypov had allegedly informed his father that law enforcement representatives had threatened to punish him if he did not admit his guilt. Aside from that, criminal punishment against his relatives and neighbors was promised.

"Belarusian activist, political prisoner Stsiapan Latypau cut his throat in the courtroom today. He was threatened with the persecution of his family if he didn't admit himself guilty,” Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a Belarusian opposition leader said on Twitter. "This is the result of state terror, repressions, torture in Belarus. We must stop it immediately!"

The incident comes not long after Belarus banned citizens from leaving the country as well as foreigners with residency permits. The State Border Committee has tightened rules following international outrage over Belarus's recent diversion of a Ryanair flight and arrest of a top dissident along with his girlfriend.

Tikhanovskaya insists that she won the election and has moved to Lithuania since most of the dissidents fled Belarus after the disputed election.