#BecauseTheJournalist
Journalist Ales Lubianchuk re-sentenced, added to “terrorist” list — and released
Journalist Ales Lubianchuk has been convicted twice in Belarus. He spent nearly three years behind bars on his first sentence, and nearly a year on his second.
June 23, 2026
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.
June 16, 2026
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.”
June 09, 2026
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.”
May 29, 2026
Free them all! Solidarity action held in Vilnius for imprisoned Belarusian journalists
Twenty-two media representatives remain in Belarusian prisons for their work. Belarusian colleagues in Vilnius held a solidarity action dedicated to World Press Freedom Day.
May 05, 2026
Silenced voices: 22 journalists spend World Press Freedom Day behind bars in Belarus
The situation with freedom of speech in Belarus remains the worst in Europe. Since the sweeping repression that began in 2020, hundreds of Belarusian media workers have endured detention, arrest, and persecution.
May 03, 2026
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.
April 28, 2026
Imprisoned journalist Dzmitry Navazhylau likely remains behind bars despite being on “pardon list”
Among the 250 people pardoned by Belarusian authorities on March 19 were several independent journalists. Unfortunately, former BelaPAN news agency director Dzmitry Navazhylau, whose name appeared on the release list, was not freed. As of March 31, there has been no contact with him.
March 31, 2026
Major release: 250 political prisoners freed in Belarus, including key journalists
Following the March 19 visit to Minsk by John Coale, U.S. presidential envoy, Belarusian authorities announced the release of 250 political prisoners. Of these, 15 people were taken to Lithuania the same day, while 235 remain in Belarus. Information about the release of the latter is still being confirmed.
March 20, 2026
Journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva released
Belarusian authorities have released Belsat journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva, who was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment. This occurred on March 19 following a visit to Minsk by U.S. presidential envoy John Coale. A total of 250 political prisoners were released on pardon that day, 15 of whom were transferred out of Belarus to Lithuania. Katsiaryna was […]
March 19, 2026
Joint report by Justice for Journalists Foundation and BAJ: “Attacks on media representatives in Belarus in 2025”
Attacks through judicial and/or economic mechanisms remain the main method of pressure on journalists — they account for 95% of all recorded incidents.
March 10, 2026
IPI: Repression accelerates as five more journalists sentenced to prison
The IPI global network today condemns the acceleration of repression against independent media in Belarus after five more journalists were sentenced to prison on politically motivated charges in just over one week.
March 10, 2026
Six journalists sentenced in one week as Belarus tightens media stranglehold. BAJ calls for maximum international attention
In recent days, several journalists in Belarus have been sentenced to imprisonment. The verdicts in cases against journalists are shocking: 9, 12, and 14 years in prison.
March 09, 2026
Journalist Pavel Dabravolski sentenced to 9 years in prison
Minsk City Court on March 6 announced a verdict for political prisoner and journalist Pavel Dabravolski. He was convicted of “high treason”.
March 09, 2026
Radio host and musician Aleh Khamenka sentenced to 3 years in prison
On March 4, Minsk City Court announced a verdict for musician, researcher, and radio host Aleh Khamenka. He was found guilty of “facilitating extremist activities.”
March 05, 2026
Every day send to your mailbox: actual offers (grants, vacancies, competitions, scholarships), announcements of events (lectures, performances, presentations, press conferences) and good content.
