News

Doctor of the Minsk BSMP (emergency hospital) Artsiom Sarokin and TUT.BY  journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich were detained exactly three months ago — on November 19, 2020. The Prosecutor General's Office claims, they disclosed a medical secret about the condition of Raman Bandarenka, which entailed serious consequences, namely, " increasing tension in society and creating an atmosphere of distrust of the competent state bodies." Today, their case is heard by Maskouski district court of Minsk. Both defendants face up to three years in prison.

 Journalists of independent media were denied accreditation to the trial of Katsiaryna Barysevich and emergency hospital doctor Artsiom Sarokin. Today Barysevich and Sarokin are standing trial for disclosure of information about the condition of Raman Bandarenka, that his blood alcohol level was zero at the time when he got into hospital after being severely beaten.

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.

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.”