News
Journalist Siarhiej Hardzijevič given 18-month prison sentence
Minsk, 2 August. Siarhiej Hardzijevič, a reporter with the website Pieršy Rehijon that covers local news in the Brest region, was sentenced Monday to 18 months in a minimum-security correctional institution for allegedly insulting and defaming Aliaksandr Lukašenka, as well as insulting two police officers in a Telegram chat, reported Pieršy Rehijon.
BAJ received letter from Supreme Court with date of preliminary hearing on liquidation of BAJ
On July 30, BAJ received a letter from the Supreme Court with the date of the preliminary hearing on the liquidation of BAJ.
Detained Naša Niva journalist Andrej Skurko diagnosed with pneumonia
Andrej Skurko, head of the online publication Naša Niva’s advertising and marketing department, has been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Detained Naša Niva employee Andrej Skurko is thought to have COVID-19
Minsk, 27 July. Andrej Skurko, head of the online publication Naša Niva’s advertising and marketing department, has been admitted to the medical unit of Pretrial Detention Center No. 1 in Minsk with “structural changes to the lungs” and suspected COVID-19.
Website run by Belsat TV, its Telegram channel and sites on social media services declared extremist
Minsk, 27 July. The news website run by Belsat TV, its Telegram channel and its sites on Facebook, VKontakte and Instagram have been declared extremist in Belarus.
Authorities liquidating dozens of NGOs
Minsk, 23 July. Belarus’ authorities have launched a process to liquidate dozens of NGOs, including key human rights groups, as they continue their unrelenting crackdown on civil society.
BAJ set to appeal justice ministry’s warning used as reason for its possible closure
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has expressed its intention to appeal the justice ministry’s warning used as a reason for a lawsuit seeing the organization’s closure.
Andrej Dyńko of Naša Niva released on pledge to report when ordered
Andrej Dyńko, editor in chief of Naša Historyja (Our History), a historical magazine published by Naša Niva, was released Wednesday from detention on a pledge to report when ordered.
Justice ministry seeking closure of Belarusian Association of Journalists
The justice ministry has filed a lawsuit seeking the closure of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) over its alleged failure to stop violations of regulations.
Alieh Hruzdzilovič, Alieś Daščynski of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said to have been put in custody for 10 days as suspects
Minsk, 20 July. Alieh Hruzdzilovič and Alieś Daščynski have been put in custody for 10 days as suspects in a criminal case, the Belarusian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported Tuesday, citing an officer at the Minsk police department’s detention center where the two journalists are being held.
Alieh Hruzdzilovič, Alieś Daščynski of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said to have been put in custody for 10 days as suspects
Alieh Hruzdzilovič and Alieś Daščynski have been put in custody for 10 days as suspects in a criminal case, the Belarusian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported Tuesday, citing an officer at the Minsk police department’s detention center where the two journalists are being held.