CPJ welcomes pardon of Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich, calls for release of others in jail
Paris, May 22, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday welcomed Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s pardon of journalist Raman Pratasevich and called for all other members of the press imprisoned for their work to be released immediately. “This decision should not overshadow the country’s shameful record on press freedom,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna,…
Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich sentenced to 8 years in prison
Paris, May 3, 2023—In response to multiple news reports that a Belarusian court sentenced journalist Raman Pratasevich to eight years in prison Wednesday, and also issued lengthy sentences to exiled journalists Stsypan Putsila and Yan Rudzik in their absence, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The sentencing of journalists Raman…
Belarus prosecutor requests lengthy prison terms for journalists Raman Pratasevich, Stsypan Putsila, and Yan Rudzik
Paris, April 21, 2023–A Belarusian prosecutor requested a 10-year prison sentence for detained journalist Raman Pratasevich, a 19-year prison sentence in absentia for journalist Yan Rudzik, and a 20-year prison sentence in absentia for journalist Stsypan Putsila during a hearing on Friday, April 21, in Minsk, the capital, news reports said. “The lengthy prison terms…
In Belarus, Infa-Kurier newspaper stops publication following ‘extremist’ label
Paris, April 11, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday expressed grave concern about news that independent Belarusian newspaper Infa-Kurier stopped its work on Saturday, April 8, after Belarusian authorities labeled the outlet’s content “extremist.” The decision to stop the outlet’s work also came after several of its journalists were detained, and its offices were…
Journalist Alyaksandr Mantsevich charged with ‘discrediting Belarus’
Paris, April 5, 2023—Belarusian authorities should drop all charges against journalist Alyaksandr Mantsevich, release him immediately, and stop prosecuting members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Authorities detained Mantsevich, the founder and editor-in-chief of the regional independent newspaper Regyonalnaya Gazeta, on March 15. On Monday, April 3, multiple…
Belarus orders 3 journalists detained for 15 days
Paris, March 27, 2023—Belarusian authorities should drop all charges against journalists Dzmitry Suslau, Syarhei Stankevich, and Aleh Rubchenya, and free them immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 17, a court in the central city of Slutsk ordered Stankevich, the chief editor of the local independent newspaper Infa-Kurier, and Rubchenya, the paper’s…
Belarusian journalist Henadz Mazheyka sentenced to 3 years in prison
Paris, March 23, 2023—In response to multiple news reports that a Belarusian court sentenced journalist Henadz Mazheyka to three years in prison on Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The sentencing of Belarusian journalist Henadz Mazheyka, simply for his journalistic work, shows once again how authorities have brazenly pursued trumped-up criminal…
Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava sentenced to 12 years in prison, Valeryia Kastsiuhova to 10 years
Paris, March 17, 2023 — Belarusian authorities should immediately release journalists Maryna Zolatava and Valeryia Kastsiuhova, drop all charges against them, and stop imprisoning members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Friday, March 17, a court in the capital city of Minsk convicted Zolatava of incitement to…
Authorities detain journalists throughout Belarus, 5 remain in custody
Paris, March 16, 2023 — Belarusian authorities should release all journalists held for their work and stop harassing and intimidating members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Since March 10, authorities have detained at least seven journalists throughout the country, five of whom remain in custody, and raided the office of…
Belarusian court upholds journalist Ivan Muravyou’s 2.5-year prison term
Paris, March 10, 2023–In response to news reports that Belarusian authorities upheld the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence of journalist Ivan Muravyou on Friday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the ruling: “In Belarus, where trials of members of the media are ruthless and politically motivated, any hope of a fair verdict seems…