Archive
31.12.2023
Belarusian media workers behind bars. Portraits
As campaigning for the 2020 elections began, the Belarusian authorities launched a war on journalists and independent media. They were stripped of their press cards, beaten, shot with rubber bullets, arrested and detained for weeks, and charged with criminal offenses. Since then, journalists have been arrested on more than 500 occasions. The Belarusian Association of Journalists monitors all cases of harassment of journalists and media workers. Below, you will find information on those imprisoned on criminal charges.
31.05.2023
The Union of Journalists of Finland held a rally in support of Belarusian political prisoners who worked in media
The Council of the Union of Journalists expressed support and solidarity with the Belarusian colleagues who are now behind bars.
31.05.2023
Belarusian journalist Yauhen Merkis sentenced to 4 years in prison
In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Yauhen Merkis to four years in prison on Tuesday, May 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the statement.
31.05.2023
Homel journalist and local history expert Yauhen Merkis was sentenced to 4 years
On May 30, the Homel Regional Court announced its verdict for journalist, historian, and local history expert Yauhen Merkis who received 4 years of imprisonment in a enhanced regime colony. Judge Aliaksei Khlyshchankou found Merkis guilty under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus ("Assistance to extremist activity"), as well as under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code ("Participation in extremist formation").
30.05.2023
Discussing and sharing good practices in investigative reporting project management
Online workshop with Belarusian media professionals organized by the Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) in partnership with the non-profit investigative journalism center Direkt36
25.05.2023
Journalists are not criminals! An action was held in the center of Malmö in support of Belarusian colleagues
The initiative to this gathering was taken by the “Organization for exchange between BAJ and SJF (Swedish Union of Journalists)” and invited were Frilans Syd, organization for freelancers in southern Sweden, Swedish Pen as well as staff journalists.
24.05.2023
Businessman and publisher of Baranavichy newspaper Shag evacuated from Belarus
This was reported by Andrei Stryzhak, head of the BYSOL Foundation, in his Telegram channel.
22.05.2023
Belarusian Blogger Raman Pratasevich, Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison, Says He Was Pardoned
Raman Pratasevich, a former editor of an opposition Telegram channel who was handed a prison term earlier this month after the commercial flight he was on was forced to land in Minsk in 2021, told journalists on May 22 that he had received a pardon.
22.05.2023
Over 100 Nobel Laureates join PEN International in support of Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski
21 May: PEN International, the literary and free expression organisation, has released a letter signed by 103 Nobel Laureates, expressing solidarity with writer, human rights defender, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and PEN member Ales Bialiatski, and condemning the Belarusian authorities’ brutal, relentless, and systematic crackdown on independent voices. Today marks the International Day of Solidarity with Prisoners of Conscience in Belarus. The solidarity action was featured in the Guardian.