March 9, Pozirk. The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has issued a statement warning that the regime has increased the persecution of journalists and urging the international community to pay more attention to Belarus.
In recent days, several journalists have been convicted and given shocking prison terms, the Association says. “This is happening in the context of cross-border persecution where authorities target journalists who were forced to leave Belarus (criminal prosecution in absentia, asset freezes, the persecution of relatives) and runs counter to the declared improvement of the human rights situation in Belarus linked to the release of prominent political prisoners,” the statement says.
As many as 28 representatives of the media sector are currently behind bars in Belarus, the Association says, calling on the international community to demand an end to politically motivated persecution in Belarus and the release of all political prisoners.
The BAJ recalls that former managers of Baranavičy-based Intex Press Uładzimir Janukievič and Andrej Pakalenka were sentenced to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively, on high treason charges on February 26. On March 6, former BelaPAN journalist Pavieł Dabravolski was also found guilty of high treason and sentenced to nine years in prison.
On March 4, a judge in Minsk sentenced prominent rock musician Aleh Chamienka to three years in prison in connection with his work for the Belarusian-language radio station Radyjo Racyja, labelled in Belarus as an “extremist” group. On March 5, ex-journalist Cina Pałynskaja and her daughter Marharyta Rabinovič were sentenced to two years in prison for alleged association with an “extremist” group.
