News
Belarus Closes Borders With Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine And Latvia
In the afternoon, TUT.BY had reports coming in about Belarusians having problems with getting back home from Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Latvia. Later the State Border Committee commented on the situation with border closures.
EFJ welcomes the award of the Sakharov Prize to the democratic opposition in Belarus
The democratic opposition in Belarus has won this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, European Parliament President David Sassoli announced today. The Sakharov Prize is awarded by the European Parliament every year in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes the award of the prize to the Belarusian opposition and recalls that six journalists are still in prison in Belarus just for doing their job.
Authorities put NEXTA logo and live channel on list of extremist materials
On October 20, 2020, the Central Court of Minsk declared the NEXTA-Live Telegram channel and the NEXTA logo extremist.
TUT.BY, BelaPAN, Onliner, and Belarusians and Market journalists covering weekend protests receive 13-15 days of jail
Their cases were heard by Kastrychnitski district court of Minsk. On October 17 and 18, Daria Spevak (Onliner), Vadzim Zamirousk and Usevalad Zarubin (Belapan and TUT.by), as well as Artsiom Mayorau (Belarusians and Market) were detained and "taken to the police department for an ID check".
Police detains at least 40 journalists on October 11 LIST
On October 11, at least 40 journalists were detained in Belarus. The police detained journalists even before the protesters gathered in the streets.
Silnye Novosti journalist Nadzeya Puzhynskaya to serve 14 days of jail. Her trial was not announced to public
In Homel, journalist of the local portal Silnye Novosti (Strong News) was tried. However, neither her family, not colleagues who had been keeping vigil in the court building for two days, were able to come to her trial. Nadzeya Puzhynskaya was sentenced to 14 days of jail.
October 4: 16 journalists detained, five remain in custody until trial
On October 4, 16 journalists were detained in Belarus. Most of them were released after verification of their documents at police stations. However, 5 reporters were left in temporary detention centers until trials on administrative charges. Presumably, Nadzeya Puzhynskaya (Homel), Maryna Mauchanava, Alesia Latsinskaya, Dzianis Nosau, and Yury Kamisarau (all from Babruisk) will be tried for alleged participation in unsanctioned street protests.
MFA to reaccredit foreign media, all old accreditation cards revoked
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has developed a new Regulation on the procedure for accreditation of foreign media in Belarus.
Belarus authorities suspend popular news portal’s status of media outlet
On September 29, Belarusian Information Minister Ihar Lutski ordered to suspend TUT.BY’s status of an online media outlet for the period of three months starting October, 1.
Homel journalist Yauhen Merkis to serve extra 12 days in jail
September 29, Homel freelance journalist and local history expert, BAJ member Yauhen Merkis was supposed to be released after serving a 15-day arrest on charges of participating in a protest march. However, he did not walk out of the detention center today. Yauhen managed to inform us from behind bars that the police leaves him there for another 12 days — to serve another 12 days from the jail term in August, when he was also arrested for 15 days for alleged participation in an unauthorized mass event.
EFJ demands release of 15 detained journalists in Belarus
15 journalists were arrested for covering protests against the presidential inauguration, electoral fraud and violence. Most of these journalists have been released, but 15 journalists are still in prison. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) demands their release.