Polish news agency correspondent barred from Belarus for five years

July 12, BPN. Belarusian authorities have barred a Polish journalist from entering the country for five years, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) has said.

Justyna Prus, who has worked for PAP there since 2016, was denied entry by the Belarusian KGB security service without explanation.

Prus had a valid accreditation to work in Belarus and covered the widespread protests that erupted after the disputed presidential election in 2020 and the continuing migrant crisis at the border with Poland.

The move comes as Alaksandar Łukašenka tightens his grip on media and civil society.

Earlier this month, he signed a law that allows authorities to ban foreign media outlets from operating in the country in response to “hostile” actions by foreign officials against his state-run media.