Before leaving Japan, Tsimanouskaya said that she hoped she could continue her career but that safety was her immediate priority. Several countries offered to help after the 24-year-old runner sought refuge in the European Union, and Poland, an EU member nation, has granted her a humanitarian visa.... The team officials threatened her with reprisals back home, she said.... The officials “ made it clear that, upon return home, I would definitely face some form of punishment, ” Tsimanouskaya tol

MOSCOW — Russia’s ban on the Taliban as a terrorist group has not stopped Moscow officials from stepping in to support it, calling for the freeze on Afghanistan’s reserves to be lifted and for Western countries to lead a global conference to rebuild Afghanistan’s economy. Support our journalism.... The bloc also has sanctions against several Taliban members, in line the with United Nations, he said. Advertisement In Russia, the Taliban is defined as a terrorist organization under a 2003 Supreme

The runner said on her Instagram account that she was put in the 4x400 relay even though she has never raced in the event. The runner was then apparently hustled to the airport but refused to board a flight for Istanbul and instead approached police for help.... In a filmed message distributed on social media, she also asked the International Olympic Committee for assistance.“ I was put under pressure, and they are trying to forcibly take me out of the country without my consent, ” the 24-year-

The current standoff apparently began after Tsimanouskaya criticized how officials were managing her team — setting off a massive backlash in state-run media back home, where authorities relentlessly crack down on government critics.... … The Japanese authorities have done what they can to protect her, and I think that is the most important part.... No one should be forced to go home under threat or under force.“ Belarus’ authoritarian government has relentlessly targeted anyone even mildly ex

Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said the 24-year-old athlete had arrived in the Polish capital after flying in from Tokyo via Vienna, a route apparently chosen to confuse those who would endanger her safety.... Passengers from the flight told reporters that one young woman was left on board as they exited the plane and were put on buses to the main terminal.... Tsimanouskaya later was seen with a top Belarusian dissident in Poland, Pavel Latushko, in a photo taken just after her arriva