Being Exiled Due To Criticism Of The Belarusian Government, This Equestrian Athlete Gets A Humanitarian Visa From Poland

JAKARTA - Belarusian equestrian Olga Safronova has been granted a humanitarian visa that allows her to stay in Poland after she was isolated at home for expressing opinions against the Belarusian government.

Cited from Antara according to a report by Polish news agency PAP, Monday, September 6, Safronova followed in the footsteps of Belarusian sprinter Krystina Tsimanouskaya, 24, who left for Poland last month after she said coaches forced her to return from the Olympics in Tokyo.

Belarus has been tough on anti-government dissent following mass protests that erupted last year over elections.

Poland has long criticized the authoritarian rule of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and has hosted many activists from Belarus.

Quoted from Reuters on Monday, Safronova headed to Poland after she was expelled from the Belarusian equestrian team shortly before the Tokyo Olympics, amid allegations that one of her horses was suspected of doping.

She later defied Belarusian sports officials and President Lukashenko and was put on a traitor list against the Belarusian state, PAP reported.

Safronova now hopes to be able to ride on behalf of Poland if she accepts Polish citizenship, according to PAP, citing a spokeswoman.

The PAP report also said that the Safronovas had also been granted visas to live in Poland.