Belarus Track Athlete Who Applied for Asylum Arrives Safely in Poland

Kristina Tsimanouskaya Arrived in Warsaw Early This Morning

▲Krisna Chimanuskaya arriving in Vienna, the transit point [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Christina Chimanuskaya (24), an athlete who participated in the Tokyo Olympics and opposed the Belarus authorities' forced repatriation order while hoping to seek asylum in a third country, is reported to have safely arrived in Warsaw, Poland after leaving Tokyo.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 5th, Chimanuskaya safely arrived in Warsaw, Poland early that morning (local time the previous night).

On the same day, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz posted on Twitter, "Christina Chimanuskaya has safely arrived in Warsaw."

Chimanuskaya, who stayed at the Polish Embassy in Tokyo for two days, left the embassy early on the morning of the 4th and headed to Tokyo Narita Airport. Originally, Chimanuskaya was scheduled to board a direct flight to Warsaw, Poland, but after arriving at the airport, she suddenly changed her destination and boarded a flight to Vienna, Austria. A representative of Chimanuskaya explained, "Diplomats changed the flight for security reasons."

On the same day, the Polish government is also reported to have issued a humanitarian visa to Chimanuskaya's husband.

Earlier, Chimanuskaya criticized the coaching team on social media (SNS) after learning that she was included in the unexpected 1600m relay team instead of her main events, the 100m and 200m track events.

In response, Belarus authorities claimed the athlete was mentally unstable and ordered her forced repatriation. On the 1st, a coach reportedly came to Chimanuskaya's room, told her to pack, and ordered her forced return.

Belarus has been under the long-term rule of President Alexander Lukashenko for 27 years. President Lukashenko is regarded as Europe's last dictator. After Lukashenko was re-elected with over 80% of the vote in last August's presidential election, protests demanding investigation of election fraud and the president's resignation have continued.

Amid this, Chimanuskaya is considered one of the athletes who signed a public petition calling for a re-election and the release of political prisoners during the large-scale protests against the fraudulent election following President Lukashenko's re-election last August.

Because of this background, Chimanuskaya's forced repatriation is also interpreted as an attempted kidnapping by the government.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a formal investigation into Belarus authorities' forced repatriation order. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated, "The IOC is gathering facts and holding a disciplinary committee to hear from two officials reportedly involved in this incident."