Cichanoŭskaja demands freedom for ex-BelaPAN journalists, political prisoners

January 12, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has called for the release of media manager Andrej Alaksandraŭ and his wife Iryna Złobina on the fifth anniversary of their arrest.

“They remain behind bars — punished for helping those targeted by the regime’s repression. Every political prisoner must be freed,” the politician stressed on X.

Cichanoŭskaja also shared a post by the Volnyja Paštoŭki initiative on the persecution of journalists in Belarus. The message pointed out that journalist Pavieł Dabravolski marks his 36^th birthday behind bars today. He may face up to 15 years in prison for his professional activities. The journalist had worked for the BelaPAN media company before the Committee for State Security (KGB) branded it an “extremist group” in November 2021.

Alaksandraŭ, a former BelaPAN deputy CEO, and Złobina were arrested in early 2021. In October 2022, judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka of the Minsk Regional Court sentenced Alaksandraŭ to 14 years in prison; Złobina, to nine years, on charges widely seen as politically motivated, including high treason, tax evasion and organizing actions grossly disturbing public order.

They married in September 2022 at a pre-trial detention center and are allowed to keep in touch.

At least 28 media workers are held behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

Politics

Politics

Journalist Dabravolski's detention extended

November 26, Pozirk. Belarusian authorities extended the pre-trial detention of journalist Pavieł Dabravolski, accused of high treason in connection with his professional activities, until December 22. Dabravolski was arrested on January 22, ten days after his 35th birthday. He may …

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