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Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka added to extremist list

The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs listed Intex-Press director Uladzimir Yanukevich and deputy Andrei Pakalenka, both serving lengthy sentences for alleged “high treason,” in its register of persons involved in extremist activities on the evening of June 12.

Polish hospital demands over 18,000 euros from journalist Katsiaryna Vadanosava

Journalist Katsiaryna Vadanosava received notice of a lawsuit in Polish court: a hospital is demanding payment of 78,313.99 zlotys. As the journalist shared on her Facebook page, she was billed for her mother’s operation, resuscitation, and post-mortem procedures.

BYSOL opened a fundraiser for a Belarusian journalist

A Belarusian journalist left for Lithuania because of the risk of criminal prosecution. He is currently unable to find work in his profession and is asking for support to cover housing, daily expenses, and food.

Ales Bialiatski creates a foundation to fight the global human rights crisis

After his release and forced deportation from Belarus, Ales Bialiatski, chairman of the Human Rights Center Viasna and winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, announced the creation of The Ales Bialiatski Foundation. The new organization will work at the strategic intersection of human rights, peacemaking, and regional security, strengthening the global human rights alliance in […]

Supreme Court upholds 14-year sentence for former Intex-Press director Yanukevich, reduces Pakalenka’s term to 11 years

On June 8, Belarus’s Supreme Court reviewed appeals by former heads of the independent Baranavichy newspaper Intex-Press, Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka, who were convicted of “high treason.”

Journalist Aliaksandr Burakou detained in Germany with renewed Schengen entry ban

Belarusian journalist Aliaksandr Burakou arrived in Berlin from Moldova on June 4, where he had previously obtained refugee status. At passport control he was detained and informed that his name is in SIS (the Schengen Information System database for border control and security), listing him as prohibited from entry to Schengen countries. BAJ spoke with […]

Imprisoned radio host Aleh Khamenka added to extremist list

The name of Aleh Khamenka, sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and a substantial fine, appeared on May 29, 2026, on the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs website in the list of persons “involved in extremist activities.” The site also notes that the cultural figure is “serving his sentence.”

Imprisoned journalist Kiryl Pazniak hospitalized in serious condition

The journalist became ill on the way to his first court hearing, which was scheduled for May 14 at Minsk City Court.

Pressure on media reporting military activity on Belarus-Ukraine border: Security forces threaten searches “until coverage stops”

Pressure continues on the independent Homel media outlet Flagshtok in Belarus. The editorial team reported that, on May 19, security forces searched the homes of the parents of two individuals associated with the publication. According to Flagshtok, an anti-extremism unit officer openly stated that “such actions will continue until new publications stop appearing on the […]

Andrzej Poczobut to address European Parliament

Journalist, Polish minority activist in Belarus, and former political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut will address the European Parliament at a plenary session in June. This was announced on May 18 by EP President Roberta Metsola when opening the plenary session.

“Painful and Unfair”: Maryna Zolatava reflects on Ludmila Chekina and the TUT.BY crackdown anniversary

Five years ago, authorities destroyed TUT.BY, Belarus’s largest news portal.

Authorities place nearly 6,000 Belarusians on interstate wanted list, including several independent journalists

Their names appear in the Russian Federation’s wanted persons database. Belarusian citizens end up there at the request of Belarusian security agencies. This means people are being sought in both countries and can also be extradited from “friendly countries.” This is reported by Mediazona. Belarus.

Roskomnadzor blocks access to BAJ website in Russia

Roskomnadzor is most likely concerned about the popularity of materials on the BAJ website that explain how to circumvent censorship and internet blocking among Russians.

Polish president awards Andrzej Poczobut Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honor

Released journalist Andrzej Poczobut received the Order of the White Eagle — Poland’s highest state honor. The ceremony took place during Constitution Day celebrations on May 3 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw.

Journalist Andrzej Poczobut exchanged at Belarus-Poland border

State media reported that on April 28 at around 2:00 PM, an “operation to exchange detained persons in a ‘five-for-five’ format” took place at the state border between Belarus and Poland. According to them, political prisoner and journalist Andrzej Poczobut was included in the exchange.

Abroad

Georgia: Exiled Belarusian journalist and Armenian journalist denied entry without explanation

On 15 September, Belarusian journalist Andrei Mialeshka was denied entry to Georgia, where he has lived for the past three years after facing political persecution in Belarus. On 17 September, Armenian journalist Arsen Kharatyan, editor-in-chief of an independent non-profit bilingual Georgian-Armenia media platform Aliq Media based in Tbilisi, was also denied entry to Georgia. The International […]

September 18, 2024

BAJ expresses condolences on the untimely death of Reporters Without Borders Secretary General

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of the international organization Reporters Without Borders. Deloire, who was 53 years old, died in Paris after a battle with cancer.

Iryna Leushyna’s words quoted at Echoing the Voices of Women action in Malmö

At the beginning of March, the Malmö Art Museum commemorated imprisoned female journalists from Belarus as part of the Echoing the Voices of Women action. With the support of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Malmö PEN told the story of nine media women who are currently imprisoned and also read quotes from the final statement […]

Accents

Listed by Myrotvorets, Euroradio editor alleges factual distortions

Yauhen Kazartsau learned two weeks ago that he was added to the Ukrainian Myrotvorets database. He tried to “present arguments why what was written is false and manipulation, received no response — that’s their right.” He doesn’t consider it necessary to respond further “to an obvious and possibly coordinated attack.”

Latvian court decision revives hopes for Belarusian-language public broadcasting on LSM+

According to Radzivon Biahliak, chairman of the Association of Belarusians in Latvia Supolka, the main achievement of advocacy efforts so far is that Belarusian journalists have remained at LSM+. The Belarusian section’s archive has also been preserved. Additionally, stories covering life and events in the diaspora are regularly published.

Two-thirds of journalists in exile change their profession

Work in exile does not mean a happy end – it makes inequalities deeper. Furthermore, two-thirds of journalists in exile leave the profession, while working in editorial offices tend to be more sustainable. Researcher and Professor at Salzburg University, Hanan Badr, discusses the collective experience of journalists in exile.

November 25, 2025

Aleh Hruzdzilovich: I wrote about abuse. I went through prison. And I proved that freedom cannot be crushed

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 14, 2025

Henadz Veratsinski: “If a photograph captures a moment, then the photographer is not its shadow — but its witness in history”

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 14, 2025

Aliaksandr Klaskouski: Journalism is not just a craft. It’s a trial by both pressure and freedom

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 13, 2025

Valer Karbalevich: “Our history is like a mirror; it reflects both defeat and chance”

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 10, 2025

Liubou Luniova: “A government afraid of freedom instinctively reaches for the baton”

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 05, 2025

Viktar Marchuk: “Digital technology can replace paper, but nothing can replace trust.”

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

November 03, 2025

Belarusian journalists in Paris: Meetings, exchange, and a solidarity action

At the end of October, a delegation of Belarusian journalists visited Paris. As part of the working trip, they met with editorial teams of leading French media outlets and took part in solidarity actions in support of imprisoned journalists currently behind bars in Belarus.

October 30, 2025

Maksim Zhbankou: Life, just life — traumatically beautiful

This interview is part of the collection “Voice of the Freedom Generation”, a living testimony to the creative and civic presence of those who have not lost their voice even in exile.

October 29, 2025

“Without us, you wouldn’t know…”: Inside the secrets Belarus wanted buried, until reporters exposed them

Since August 2020, more than 400 journalists have left Belarus due to persecution. Around 30 independent outlets have relocated abroad. They continue working now in some of the harshest conditions in Europe.

September 23, 2025

Conference on the future of Belarusian journalism opens in Vilnius

On September 16, the Lithuanian capital hosted the opening of the conference “Belarusian Journalism: Where Tomorrow Begins.” This year, the gathering carries special meaning: BAJ is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding.

September 16, 2025

Latvian parliamentarian warns against dropping Belarusian media content

The possible closure of the Belarusian division of the LSM+ Latvian media outlet has sparked widespread concern not only among the Belarusian diaspora in Latvia. BAJ looked into the issue and spoke with Latvian MP Leila Rasima, as well as with community representatives and the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus.

August 18, 2025

Five years of lawlessness: How Belarus’s media was silenced — and fought back

Independent media can be destroyed, journalists can be imprisoned — but they cannot be forced into silence. The starting point of the newest Belarusian history was August 9, 2020 — the day of voting in a presidential election that never truly happened. That day marked the beginning of a total purge of Belarus’s democratic society.

August 12, 2025

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