Investigation against Radio Svaboda journalist Alieh Hruzdzilovič completed

February 1, BPN. The investigation against Aleh Hruzdzilovič, political prisoner and journalist has been completed, Radio Svaboda reported with reference to his wife.

According to Maryna Hruzdzilovič, her husband informed her about it during a visit on January 31.

Hruzdzilovič was detained on December 23, 2021, in his apartment. This was his second detention in five months.

According to human rights defenders, the journalist was charged with participating in an unauthorized rally. Hruzdzilovič is accused of taking part in the rally after his MFA accreditation as a foreign media representative was withdrawn.

According to Radio Svaboda, Hruzdzilovič insisted that he was a freelancer at Narodnaja Volia newspaper at the time and performed his professional duties at the rally.

On July 16, the Minsk office of the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda and the homes of its employees were searched. Journalists Aleh Hruzdzilovič and Inesa Studzinskaja were detained. They were released 10 days later. Both are suspects in a criminal case under Article 342 (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order).

On December 23, the media learned that a criminal case was opened against a Radio Svaboda freelancer Andrej Kuznečyk, yet the charges remain unclear.

On the same day, the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda was recognized as an extremist formation by a decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It includes “a group of citizens associated via Radio Svaboda’s website, the Telegram channel Radio Svaboda – Belarus, the Youtube channel Radio Svaboda and other Internet resources.”

On December 3, the Central District Court in Minsk recognized the social media content along with the Telegram channel Radio Svaboda as extremist. This happened on the following day after the United States expanded sanctions against Belarusian legal entities and individuals.

To date, 32 Belarusian journalists remain in captivity.