#BecauseTheJournalist
BAJ hails prisoner releases, urges freedom for those still jailed
The Belarusian Association of Journalists welcomes the release of political prisoners but stresses that many journalists and media workers remain unjustly imprisoned.
December 14, 2025
Journalist Dabravolski’s detention extended
Belarusian authorities extended the pre-trial detention of journalist Pavel Dabravolski, accused of high treason in connection with his professional activities, until December 22.
November 27, 2025
Editor of s13, Siarhei Chabotska, added to Belarusian “extremist” list
On 21 November 2025, the Belarusian Interior Ministry updated its list of individuals “involved in extremist activity,” adding Siarhei Chabotska, editor of the Hrodna city portal s13.
November 24, 2025
Four Baranavichy journalists sentenced to home confinement on “extremism” charges
The updated November 11 list of individuals allegedly involved in “extremist activity,” published by the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, now includes the names Natallia Semianovich, Mikita Piatrouski, Ruslan Raviaka, and Ludmila Zeliankova. All four worked for BAR24, a Baranavichy news outlet created by the former team of the independent regional newspaper Intex-Press.
November 14, 2025
Astrozski Belarus-Ukraine Forum participants express solidarity with imprisoned journalists in Belarus
Participants of the Belarusian-Ukrainian Astrozski Forum have expressed solidarity with Belarusian journalists who remain behind bars.
November 12, 2025
Poczobut awarded Poland’s Order of the White Eagle
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has awarded journalist Andrzej Poczobut, held in a Belarusian prison in a politically-motivated case, an Order of the White Eagle, the most important Polish civilian and military distinction.
November 11, 2025
Editor of S13 news portal sentenced to 3.5 years for “extremism” and “defamation” of Lukashenka
The Hrodna Regional Court has sentenced Siarhei Chabotska, editor of the local news portal s13.ru, to three years and six months in prison, along with a large fine.
November 03, 2025
France’s major media outlets support imprisoned Belarusian journalists
A group of independent Belarusian journalists in exile visited France and held several solidarity events in support of their imprisoned colleagues.
October 30, 2025
Former Director of Belorusy i Rynok Kanstantsin Zalatykh released from prison
The Belarusian Association of Journalists has learned that former director of the independent economic newspaper Belorusy i Rynok, Kanstantsin Zalatykh, was released on October 23 after serving his full prison term.
October 24, 2025
Andrzej Poczobut awarded the Sakharov Prize
Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut has received the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, alongside imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.
October 22, 2025
Journalist Pavel Dabravolski accused of treason
Pavel Dabravolski, a journalist detained in the Committee for State Security (KGB) jail, has been accused of high treason in connection with his professional activities and may face up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
October 20, 2025
Former Media-Polesye journalist released from prison
Yauhen Nikalayevich has fully served his sentence of one and a half years for allegedly participating in the 2020 protests, although in reality, he was simply performing his professional duties as a journalist.
October 14, 2025
Andrzej Poczobut placed in SHU again for six months
According to information available to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, political prisoner and journalist Andrzej Poczobut was placed in a SHU (secure housing unit) on August 23 for six months, until February 2026.
October 07, 2025
Poczobut recovering from surgery, has heart issues
Andrzej Poczobut is experiencing serious health problems, including hypertension and arrhythmia, according to Andżelika Borys, head of the unofficial Union of Poles in Belarus. Borys shared the update with Newsweek Polska following a prison visit on September 23.
October 03, 2025
Journalist Kiryl Pazniak declared a political prisoner
Human rights groups have recognized journalist Kiryl Pazniak, detained in early September this year, as a political prisoner. The joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations was published today, September 17. In total, the list names 17 new political prisoners.
September 19, 2025
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