Trial of journalist Ihar Ilyash paused as publications undergo examination
The Minsk City Court has announced a pause in the criminal trial of journalist Ihar Ilyash. The trial began on February 21, with three court sessions held so far.

Ihar Ilyash. Photo: svaboda.org
Ilyash is accused of “discrediting the Republic of Belarus” and “facilitating extremist activities”. Under these charges, he faces up to six years in prison.
According to media reports, Ilyash’s analytical publications have been sent for examination, which will be conducted by PhD Siarhei Lebiadzinski, head of the department at the Faculty of Philology of Belarusian State University. The court denied the journalist’s request for the examination to be carried out by the State Center for Forensic Examinations.
Ihar Ilyash’s arrest
Ihar Ilyash was arrested on October 22, 2024.
At the time, pro-government Telegram channels claimed that the journalist was allegedly “assisting extremist formations” by giving interviews to independent media and “gathering intelligence for foreign agencies” due to his commentary for Ukrainian media.
On November 22, 2024, human rights organizations recognized Ihar Ilyash as a political prisoner.
Sources close to Ilyash previously reported that he had the opportunity to leave Belarus for more than three years after his last detention. However, he chose to stay to support his wife, Belsat TV journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava), who is imprisoned. Katsyaryna has been behind bars since November 2020. She has been convicted twice, receiving a total sentence of 8 years and 3 months.
