News
Media workers behind bars. Current post addresses
Dear colleagues and partners abroad. Unfortunately, there is very little chance that your letter will reach a person in prison. The authorities block such letters. If you want to write to someone in prison, write and send your letter to us at the editorial mail press@baj.by marked "Letter to prison". We will try to find a way to transfer it to a person.
Rehijanalnaja Hazeta’s editor-in-chief criminally charged and put in custody
According to BAJ sources, a criminal case has been started against Aliaksandr Mantsevich, the founder and editor-in-chief of Rehijanalnaja Hazeta. The details of the charges are unknown since the lawyer signed a non-disclosure plea.
Journalists Dzmitry Semchanka and Henadz Mazheika sentenced to 3 years in prison for inciting enmity
On March 23, in separate hearings, Minsk City Court sentenced Dzmitry Semchanka, a former All-national TV anchor, and Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent Henadz Mazheika to three years in prison for "inciting enmity" against public officials.
Help for the family of Sergei Satsuk, political prisoner investigative journalist
3100€ — the amount indicated is part of the necessary funds needed to pay the financial penalties imposed on Sergei Satsuk. Support the collection
All-National TV anchor Dzmitry Semchanka's trial starts today
On 21 March, the trial of political TV commentator Dzmitry Semchanka started at Minsk City Court. The well-known regime promoter and head of the presidential pool of journalists was accused of "incitement of social hatred" by means of derogatory comments in Telegram groups. The maximum penalty under this article is up to five years in prison
Journalist Ihar Losik attempts suicide in jail
Political prisoner Ihar Losik attempted suicide in the correctional facility, as reported by the Viasna human rights center.
Two TUT.BY media workers sentenced to 12 years in prison, three more wanted
On 17 March, Minsk City Court read out the sentence in the TUT.BY case.
Infa-Kurier's editor-in-chief and his deputy detained for 15 days for defying police
Slutsk District Court arrested the chief editor and owner of Infa-Kurier, Siarhei Stankevich, and his deputy Aleh Rubchenia for 15 days for defying the police, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reports.
Valeryia Kastsiuhova and Tatsiana Kuzina sentenced to 10 years in prison
On 17 March, Minsk City Court supported the prosecutor's request and sentenced media expert Valeryia Kastsiuhova and public administration manager Tatsiana Kuzina to 10 years in a general-regime correctional facility. The trial was held behind closed doors.
Regional mass media representatives searched and detained
According to BAJ sources, on 15 March, law enforcers searched the editorial office of Slutsk independent publication Infa-Kurier. A search was also conducted in the house of Aliaksandr Mantsevich, editor-in-chief of Rehiyanalnaya Hazeta.
Prosecutor Seeks 10-Year Prison Terms For Belarusian Activists Considered Political Prisoners
MINSK -- The prosecutor at the trial of two activists in Belarus -- Valeryya Kastsyuhova and Tatsyana Kuzina -- has asked a court in Minsk to convict the two women and sentence them to 10 years in prison each as part of an ongoing crackdown on dissent under authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Viasna leadership receives from 7 to 10 years in jail
Judge Maryna Zapasnik of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk decided that the guilt of human rights defenders of “smuggling by an organized group” under Part 4 Article 228 of the Criminal Code and “financing of group actions grossly violating the public order” under Part 2 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code has been fully proven.