Belarusian journalist Alyaksandr Mantsevich sentenced to 4 years in prison
New York, November 3, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s Friday sentencing of journalist Alyaksandr Mantsevich to four years in prison for allegedly discrediting Belarus. “Alyaksandr Mantsevich’s four-year prison sentence, the highest provided under the charges laid against him, is yet another example of the Belarusian authorities’ resentful attitude towards independent journalists,”…
Tipping the scales: Journalists’ lawyers face retaliation around the globe
The smears began the day Christian Ulate began representing jailed Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora: tweets accusing the lawyer of being a leftist or questioning his legal credentials. He began to fear he was being surveilled. Ulate had taken over the case in August 2022 from two other lawyers, Romeo Montoya García and Mario Castañeda,…
Belarus detains journalist Andrei Tolchyn on extremism charges
New York, September 28, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the 72-hour detention of Belarusian journalist Andrei Tolchyn on extremism charges. “Belarusian authorities continue to detain journalists on spurious grounds, with their preferred weapon being extremism charges,” Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator said on Thursday. “Authorities should drop all charges against…
Belarusian court sentences journalist Vyacheslau Lazarau to 5.5 years on extremism charges
New York, September 25, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s Monday sentencing of journalist Vyacheslau Lazarau to 5.5 years in prison for allegedly facilitating extremism. “Vyacheslau Lazarau’s sentencing to 5.5 years in prison demonstrates how the country’s ‘extremist’ laws have become the most frequent tool the Belarusian authorities use to jail journalists…
Belarusian authorities label investigative media outlet Belarusian Investigative Center as ‘extremist’
New York, September 20, 2023—Belarusian authorities should stop using the country’s extremism legislation to silence independent reporting and let the media work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At a closed-door hearing on September 15, the Belarusian Supreme Court labeled the Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC), an independent Czech Republic-based investigative media outlet, as…
Belarusian court sentences journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison
New York, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison for allegedly discrediting the country and facilitating extremism. “By sentencing journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison, Belarusian authorities are once again demonstrating their vindictiveness towards those who reported independently on…
Belarusian journalist Pavel Mazheika sentenced to 6 years in prison
New York, July 26, 2023—In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Pavel Mazheika to six years in prison on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The sentencing of Pavel Mazheika to six years’ imprisonment once again exposes how Belarusian authorities use charges of extremism to jail independent journalists,”…
Belarus detains journalist Ihar Karnei on undisclosed charges, bans Polish journalist Justyna Prus
New York, July 20, 2023—Belarusian authorities should immediately disclose the reason for the recent detention of journalist Ihar Karnei, reverse their decision to ban Polish journalist Justyna Prus, and let the media work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Monday, July 17, authorities in Minsk searched the home of Karnei, a former…
Belarusian journalist Andrey Famin sentenced to 7 years in prison
New York, July 7, 2023—In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Andrey Famin to seven years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The seven-year prison sentence handed down to Belarusian journalist Andrey Famin for his alleged involvement in a low-profile network of regional newspapers is proof that…
New Belarusian media law allows for bans on foreign media
New York, July 6, 2023—In response to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signing into law of a bill strengthening control on the media on Saturday, July 1, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Belarus’ new media law translates long-standing arbitrary practices of silencing dissent and independent reporting into the legal sphere,” said Carlos…