Radio Svaboda is not an extremist organization, journalists Hruzdzilovič and Kuznečyk are hostages taken by this regime, not criminals, RFE/RL President says

December 24. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) “condemns the Belarusian government’s campaign to criminalize honest journalism and deprive the Belarusian people of the truth.” RFE/RL President Jamie Fly chose this wording to comment on the recognition of Radio Svaboda as an “extremist formation”, the detention of journalist Alieh Hruzdzilovič and the criminal case against freelancer Andrej Kuznečyk.

“We again adamantly reject this ridiculous, regime-imposed label, Radio Svaboda is not an ‘extremist organization'”, Fly said. “Hruzdzilovič and Kuznečyk are hostages taken by this lawless regime, not criminals. Factual reporting is not an ‘extremist’ activity, and journalism is not a crime.”

On December 23, it became known that a criminal case was opened against Andrej Kuznečyk, a freelancer of Radio Svaboda, yet the charges remain unclear. He was detained almost a month ago within an administrative case.

On the same day, the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda was recognized as an extremist formation by the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It includes “a group of citizens associated via Radio Svaboda’s website, the Telegram channel “Radio Svaboda – Belarus”, the Youtube channel “Radio Svaboda” and other Internet resources.”

Later came the news of journalist Alieh Hruzdzilovič’s detention. According to the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda, it took place in his Minsk apartment. The investigator informed the journalist’s wife that he had been transferred to the pre-trial detention center No. 1 on Valadarskaha Street. Mr. Hruzdzilovič is being investigated for organizing mass riots. A measure of restraint was chosen in the form of arrest.

On July 16, the Minsk office and the homes of Radio Svaboda employees were searched. Journalists Alieh Hruzdzilovič and Inesa Studzinskaja were detained. They were released 10 days later. Both are suspects in a criminal case under Art. 342 (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order).

On December 3, the Central District Court in Minsk recognized the social media content along with the Telegram channel “Radio Svaboda” as extremist. This happened on the following day after the United States expanded sanctions against Belarusian legal entities and individuals.

To date, 32 Belarusian journalists remain in prison.