{"id":146031,"date":"2025-07-09T16:34:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T13:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/146031\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"belarusian-musician-declared-political-prisoner","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/146031\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarusian musician declared political prisoner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 9, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The Belarusian human rights community has designated musician and radio host Aleh Chamienka as a political prisoner, according to a joint statement published on the Belarusian Association of Journalists website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activists reported the arrest of the 58-year-old leader and founder of the Pa\u0142ac folk rock band at the end of June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement said Chamienka was charged with cooperating with an independent media outlet deemed to be extremist by the government. The specific Criminal Code article is unknown, it noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe detention and criminal prosecution of Aleh Chamienka are a continuation of the authorities\u2019 targeted policy to limit the dissemination of uncensored information in the country and an extension of the attack on freedom of speech,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBelarus\u2019 human rights community has repeatedly noted that anti-extremist legislation is used by the country\u2019s authorities to suppress public and political activity and dissent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The authorities have recognized 38 media outlets and organizations as extremist groups, it recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The human rights organizations demand that Chamienka be immediately released and cleared of criminal charges. They also call against using criminal prosecution as a \u201ctool of pressure on freedom of expression and other rights and freedoms.\u201d Furthermore, they demand an end to repression and the release of all political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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