#BecauseTheJournalist
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
Journalist Ihar Ilyash sentenced to four years in prison
The Minsk City Court has sentenced journalist and political prisoner Ihar Ilyash to four years in prison. Judge Siarhei Katser found him guilty of “discrediting the Republic of Belarus” and “facilitating extremist activities.” In addition to the prison term, Ilyash must pay a fine of $1,240.
September 16, 2025
Ten journalists among 52 political prisoners released in Belarus
On September 11, 2025, Belarusian authorities released 52 political prisoners following negotiations with a U.S. delegation led by John Coale. Among them were twelve journalists and media workers who had faced harsh prison sentences for their professional activities.
September 11, 2025
Journalist Ihar Ilyash’s trial to resume on September 4
The Minsk City Court will resume the trial of journalist Ihar Ilyash on September 4. He is accused of facilitating extremism and discrediting Belarus.
September 02, 2025
Aleh Supruniuk and Pavel Dabravolski recognized as political prisoners
On August 26, 2025, Belarusian human rights organizations issued a joint statement regarding journalists Aleh Supruniuk and Pavel Dabravolski, who are behind bars in Belarus.
August 26, 2025
Journalist Aleh Supruniuk sentenced to three years in prison
Friends of the Brest journalist report that on August 8 Aleh Suprunyuk received a three-year prison sentence. He was convicted of involvement in an “extremist formation.” Prior to the verdict, he had spent over six months in pre-trial detention.
August 25, 2025
German MP becomes symbolic godparent to imprisoned journalist Palina Pitkevich
As part of the #WeStandBYyou campaign, Ophelia Nick, a member of the German political party Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, has become the symbolic godparent of journalist Palina Pitkevich, who was sentenced by the Belarusian authorities to three years in prison.
August 22, 2025
BAJ launched the project “Journalists: The Silent Mode”
Determined not to let the facts of persecution and repression against journalists disappear in the information flow or perceived as white noise, the Belarusian Association of Journalists launched the project “Journalists: The Silent Mode.”
August 12, 2025
BAJ exhibition on imprisoned journalists held at “New Belarus” conference
The project “Journalists: The Silent Mode” is a visual form of resistance to the quiet erasure of journalists from public space, the profession, and life — a process that the Belarusian authorities have been deliberately carrying out for the past five years. Belarussian Association of Journalists spoke with visitors to the exhibition at the conference […]
August 11, 2025
Belarus: portraits of arbitrarily detained media professionals
Today, Belarus is one of the largest prisons in the world for independent journalists, with 39 currently behind bars.
August 11, 2025
Journalist Danil Palianski sentenced to 10 years in prison over “high treason”
The case against freelance journalist Danil Palianski was heard by the Brest Regional Court. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), the trial began in mid-July 2025 and was held behind closed doors. The verdict was delivered on July 25.
August 07, 2025
“Help yourself — and thousands around you will be saved”: Kayak solidarity rally for jailed Belarusian journalists held near Vilnius
While the sun finally broke through weeks of rain over Vilnius on June 28, a group of Belarusians gathered on Lithuania’s Merkys River for an unusual but meaningful event — a solidarity kayak rally to support imprisoned journalists and political prisoners in Belarus.
June 30, 2025
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