Two journalists declared political prisoners

September 21, BPN. Belarusian human rights groups have declared journalists Ivan Muraŭjoŭ and Jaŭhien Mierkis political prisoners.

Their arrest is a continuation of the state’s “deliberate policy” to limit the availability of uncensored information and attack freedom of speech, they said in a joint statement, published by the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

Law enforcers arrested Muraŭjoŭ in Minsk on August 29, for alleged association with an extremist group.

On September 13, police searched Jaŭhien Mierkis’ apartment in Homiel and arrested him. He is charged with facilitating extremist activity.

“The excessively broad and vague definitions of ‘extremist activity’ and ‘extremist group’ provided for by Belarusian legislation allow the authorities to manipulate with wording to unduly restrict the right to information, freedom of speech and freedom of association,” the statement reads.

It was signed by the BAJ, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva, the Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarusian PEN, Barys Zvozskaŭ Human Rights House, Lawtrend, Human Constanta and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee.

The BAJ said 32 journalists are held in detention in Belarus.