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
- Security, SocietyBelarus drill simulates attack on top interior ministry officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyEducation minister defends tightened school search rulesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyOfficials decry surge in imported canned vegetablesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityNausėda’s aide plays down alarmist remarks by Belarus' opposition leaderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityOpposition leader warns Łukašenka could allow attacks on NATO countriesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to build about 30 waste recycling facilities in five yearsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja hopeful that more political prisoners will be released in coming weeksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyEU countries report 105 attempts at irregular entry from Belarus on September 2The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsNew Belarusian ambassador seeking cooperation with Iraq on trade, security, modernization of its energy sectorThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: 9.2 percent more people dismissed than hired in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussia’s Far East interested in Belarusian fuel, gas-powered machinery, Krutoj saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry names individuals allegedly linked to Nash Dom groupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityInternal troops trained to rebuff SUV attack at the borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ new car sales hit annual high in AugustThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSeimas speaker sees no grounds for easing Belarus sanctionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SecurityUAV crews to join upcoming CSTO drill in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja urges Vilnius to prioritize Belarus during EU Council presidencyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SecurityBiełavija expands ties with Russian airline despite Zelensky’s warningThe material is available only to POZIRK+



