News
Criminal proceedings against journalist Dashchynski dismissed
The criminal prosecution of journalist Ales Dashchynski has been terminated. His pledge not to leave the country is no longer binding, and the items seized during the search were returned to him, reports BAJ.
Art historian and theater critic Aliaksei Strelnikau dies suddenly
Art historian, theater critic, and journalist Aliaksei Strelnikau died unexpectedly at the age of 39, reported his colleagues and friends.
Journalist Larysa Shchyrakova charged with discrediting Belarus
A criminal case was filed against former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova for allegedly discrediting Belarus (Article 369-1 of the Criminal Code), RFE/RL Belarus reports.
CPJ: ex-journalist Larysa Shchyrakova detained in Belarus on undisclosed charges
Belarusian authorities should publicly disclose the reason for former Belsat TV journalist Larysa Shchyrakova’s arrest or release her immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
Son of detained ex-journalist found in orphanage. His father about to arrive from Siberia
Former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova has been in Homel temporary detention center for three days now, and her minor son Sviataslau was found in a repair for children in the settlement of Biarozki in Homel District. This is just 1.5 km away from his home.
Underground regional press network declared extremist formation
The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs recognized Vesniki, "a group of citizens united on social media and distributing regional printed publications" as an extremist formation.
Former National TV journalist sentenced to 4 years in prison
Dzmitry Luksha, a former Belarusian TV journalist and freelance correspondent for Kazakhstan’s Khabar 24 TV channel, was sentenced by Minsk City Court to 4 years in prison. His wife Palina Palavinka will spend 2.5 years behind bars.
Supreme Court rejects appeal of journalist Iryna Slaunikava in closed session
On 6 December, the Supreme Court of Belarus considered the appeal filed by Iryna Slaunikava’s lawyers challenging the decision of the Homel Regional Court. In a closed session, the court denied the re-examination of the case or remission of her sentence (five years of imprisonment).
Belorusy i rynok newspaper suspends its publication after 32 years of printing
The publication is missing from the Belarusian post catalog for the first half of 2023. There will be no print or electronic PDF version of the newspaper during this period, the editorial office told @pozirkonline.
Ex-journalist Larysa Shchyrakova detained in Homel, her son taken to orphanage
RFE/RL Belarus reported that on the evening of December 6, former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova was detained in Homel. Her teenage son was taken to the Social-Pedagogical Center in Homel District.
Journalist Aleh Hruzdzilovich to receive Hope for Freedom Award
At the Free Journalism Forum held on 1 December in the Seimas of Lithuania, the Hope for Freedom Award was presented to journalist Aleh Hruzdzilovich, who has recently been released from prison and left Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Strong democracy cannot be built without independent media”
The leader of Belarusian democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issued a statement to be presented at the Free Journalism Forum in Vilnius (Lithuania), in which she addressed Belarusian journalists. In the video, she declared her commitment to critical comments and mentioned those behind bars.