Radyjo Racyja show host Chamienka sentenced to three years in prison on extremism charges

March 4, Pozirk. The Minsk City Court has sentenced famous folk musician Alieh Chamienka to three years in prison in connection with his work as a show host for the Belarusian-language radio station Radyjo Racyja, the Belarusian Association of Journalists reported.
The singer and show presenter was found guilty of facilitating extremism because the station had been labeled by Belarus’ security services as an extremist group among dozens of other blacklisted media organizations.
Chamienka was also ordered to pay a fine of more than 20,000 rubels.
He was arrested in Minsk on June 17, 2025 and put on trial on February 19. Human rights defenders declared him a political prisoner.
The Pałac folk band leader, Chamenka also worked as a lecturer at the Belarusian University of Culture and Arts, hosted shows on several radio stations and acted as a presenter at major festivals.
Belarusian musician declared political prisoner
- EconomyUzbeks invited to Belarus to produce meat and milk for Uzbekistan, Łukašenka saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian foreign minister visiting KyrgyzstanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGeorgian authorities not to take action against undocumented Belarusian rights defenderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyLithuanian border guards arrest two men carrying nearly 6,000 Belarusian-smuggled cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyExports of Belarusian petroleum products to Georgia soaringThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyRights groups declare Radyjo Racyja’s sound engineer as political prisonerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus ranks 11th in price growth among ex-Soviet states in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyBelarusians eat more meat, fewer fruits and berriesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Society
- Economy, SocietyLithuania downs another drone with contraband Belarusian cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUpdate on politically-motivated trials, pressure on dissidentsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus upgrades Osa missile loaderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader seeks continued cooperation with UK under PM BurnhamThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania reports spike in attempted irregular entries from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian delegation offers help with Uzbekistan’s nuclear projectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyAuthorities given one day to answer exit ban inquiriesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusians ranked ninth among visitors to Georgia in Q2The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics



