Should she be kidnapped by the authoritarian authorities in Belarus?
Now the Olympic sprinter Kristina Timanowskaja has received a Polish visa and is safe.
Tokyo - Belarusian Olympic sprinter Kristina Timanowskaja received a humanitarian visa at the Polish embassy in Tokyo.
The athlete, who, according to the opposition, should be kidnapped from Japan by the authoritarian authorities in her country, appeared on Monday in Poland's representation in Tokyo.
"Poland will do whatever it takes to help her continue her sporting career," wrote Vice Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz on Twitter on Monday.
Poland stands “for solidarity”, added the top politician.
In addition to Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia had also offered the 24-year-old asylum.
Timanovskaya said in a video published by the opposition Belarusian athletes' association Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) on Sunday that she had been flown out of Japan against her will.
The reason was public criticism of Belarusian sports officials.
The sprinter had refused the flight, turned to the Japanese police and then spent the night in a hotel at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
According to the International Olympic Committee, she is in a "safe environment".
Attempted "violent" exit
The 24-year-old athlete said in a video published by the opposition Belarusian athletes' association Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) on Sunday that she had been flown out of Japan against her will after publicly criticizing Belarusian sports officials.
The BSSF spoke of an attempted “violent” departure.
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The Olympic Rings at dusk Tokyo.
© Felipe Dana / AP / dpa
Adams could not provide any information about how the athlete left the Olympic village and who was with her.
At the airport, she turned to the Japanese police.
Representatives of the IOC and the Japanese OC had spoken to her “directly” that night.
"She has assured us that she will feel safe and secure," the IOC spokesman continued.
Timanovskaya denies mental health problems
The Belarusian Olympic Committee (NOK) had previously stated on Telegram that the athlete had been examined by a doctor and would not take part in any further competitions because of her "emotional and psychological state".
Timanovskaya called this a "lie" on Instagram.
She told the radio station Euroradio: "You just told me to pack my things and fly home."
Poland offered Timanovskaya a humanitarian visa on Sunday evening.
His country is ready to help, wrote Przydacz on Twitter.
"She has the free choice to continue her sporting career in Poland, if she decides," continued the politician.
Federal government urges basic rights
Meanwhile, the German government called on the authorities in Belarus to respect basic democratic rights.
Chicanery, persecution and intimidation would be condemned in the strongest possible terms, said a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office on Monday in Berlin.
Freedom of the press and freedom of expression were also among the fundamental rights.
Belarus's approach has been repeatedly criticized.
"The EU has passed a substantial package of sanctions because of the ongoing serious human rights violations in Belarus," said the spokeswoman.
dpa