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Belarusian Association of Journalists strongly condemns the court verdict on the case of Belsat journalists Daria Chultsova and Katsiaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava).

Journalists Daria Chultsova and Katsiaryna Andreyeva were sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment this morning.

February 17, the trial of Belsat journalists Daria Chultsova and Katsiaryna Andreyeva is under way. Hearing of arguments and the last statement of the defendants are expected today.

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) demands Belarusian authorities to stop immediately the persecution of journalists and the prosecution of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

Early in the morning of February 16th the press secretary of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Barys Haretski sent out the message that the security forces had come for him. Later, they also came to the BAJ’s lawyer Aleh Aheyeu and the chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrei Bastunets who was taken to witness the search in the office. In addition, searches of journalists and human rights activists in different cities are also being carried out. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet been able to provide a substantial comment.

Belsat reporters Lubou Luniova and Dzmitry Buyanau (Soltan) were detained on the job on 8 February. The police detained him for alleged disorderly conduct (Art. 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). February 10 Judge Maryna Fiodarava sentenced the journalists to administrative arrests: 10 days to Lubou, and 15 days -- to Dzmitry.

Today is the day of the trial of Belsat journalists Katerina Andreeva and Darya Chultsova. Last November they were reporting live from the memorial of Roman Bondarenko — a young man beaten to death by unknown people. That day protesters and mourners gathered in Changes Square in Minsk, soon they were brutally dispersed by riot police, journalists of various media agencies were detained. Later they were accused of “inducing mass disorder.”

The Media Freedom Coalition expresses its deep concern about continued attacks on media freedom and the targeting of independent journalists in Belarus. Media freedom is an important part of democratic societies and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned about the criminal charges pursued in Belarus against Belsat TV journalists Ekaterina Bakhvalova and Daria Chultsova. Both journalists were covering the peaceful protests taking place on 15 November 2020 that demanded a change of the ruling government and of the president, and accountability for the tortures and killings of protesters like Roman Bondarenka. Journalists are now facing criminal charges for organising actions that grossly violate public order, and active participation in them. ARTICLE 19 argues that journalists are simply prosecuted for carrying out their role – gathering and sharing important information about protests and ensuring accountability of public bodies for their actions. We call on the Belarusian courts to immediately and unconditionally drop these charges and refrain from bringing similar charges in the future.

The Minsk Leninski Borough Court has postponed the hearing in the case of journalist Nadzeya Kalinina of TUT.by. The woman was released, as three days had passed since her detention, BAJ reports.

The case will be heard by Frunzenski District Court of Minsk.