Jailed former RFE/RL reporter faces new criminal charge

November 28, Pozirk. Judge Alaksandar Tarakanaŭ is scheduled to try jailed journalist Ihar Karniej on December 11 for allegedly disobeying prison authorities in Škłoŭ, Mahiloŭ region.

Belarusian authorities routinely use this charge to keep political prisoners behind bars longer.

Karniej, a former RFE/RL Belarus Service correspondent, has been in custody since July 2023. In March, he was given three years in prison on charges of association with an extremist group. A few months later authorities also blacklisted him as an extremist.

The administration of Škłoŭ’s Penal Colony No 17 has reportedly placed the journalist in the internal prison several times.

Karniej had a long history of cooperating with independent media. Human rights groups consider him a political prisoner.

Also read: Journalist Karniej given three years in prison