CPJ demands immediate release of journalist sentenced on high treason charges
March 10, Pozirk. The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the March 6 sentencing of journalist Paviał Dabravolski to nine years in jail on treason charges, and calls on Belarusian authorities to release him immediately.
“The harsh prison sentence handed down to journalist Pavel Dabravolski, the latest in a recent series of convictions of journalists in retaliation for independent reporting, shows that the media crackdown continues unabated in Belarus,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator. “Authorities should immediately release Dabravolski, along with all imprisoned journalists.”
At least 26 journalists are currently behind bars in Belarus, according to the CPJ. At least six of them — Dabravolski, Dzianis Ivašyn, Kaciaryna Andrejeva, Andrej Alaksandraŭ, Uładzimir Janukievič, Andrej Pakalenka and Daniil Palanski are imprisoned on high treason charges, according to Pozirk.
After voting in a presidential election in Minsk on January 26, 2025, Alaksandar Łukašenka made it clear that he had ordered a crackdown on the media in revenge for criticism of the 2020 election and his handling of post-election protests.
“We don’t forgive [those who worked] in the media because they are public figures. It is difficult to forgive journalists, they are public figures,” he said.
Journalist Dabravolski given nine years in prison
- Politics, SecurityLatvia grappling with irregular migration for six months alreadyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian diplomat blasts Ukraine, praises Russia at OSCEThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuanian border guard under investigation into cigarette smuggling from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- EconomyEU General Court upholds sanctions against Belarus’ state-run automakersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMore than 20 percent of companies reported losses in January-JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsŁukašenka says sanctions help advance import substitutionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council sets up commission to investigate Łukašenka’s crimesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Economy
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands 13 people as “extremists”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBelarus' FM Ryžankoŭ meets North Korean, Cuban diplomatsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja discusses regional security with Slovenia’s PM, Romania's presidentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus, Russia to allow indefinite stays for citizensThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityMinsk, Moscow discuss NATO’s escalation policyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council nominates Vieranika Stankievič for social policy chiefThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Economy, SocietyBelarusians allowed to apply for Lithuania’s residence permits in Armenia, GeorgiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyPoland says 400 Belarusians violated migration legislation in January-AugustThe material is available only to POZIRK+



