Tut.by journalists to go on trial on January 9
January 2, BPN. The trial of Tut By Media’s employees will start on January 9 at the Minsk City Court and will be closed to the public, the court schedule said.
The Prosecutor General’s Office listed CEO Ludmiła Čekina, editor-in-chief Maryna Zołatava, politics and economy editor Volha Łojka, journalist Alena Tałkačova and legal adviser Kaciaryna Tkačenka as defendants.
Authorities accuse Čekina, Zołatava, Łojka and Tałkačova of tax evasion, inciting hatred and calling for sanctions. Tkačenka is charged with participation in protests.
Tut By Media ran Tut.by, Belarus’ most popular news portal.
Authorities arrested 15 Tut.by employees in May 2021. All except Čekina and Zołatava were released from custody after agreeing to cooperate with investigators, according to the Investigative Committee.
One exception is Darja Daniłava, sentenced to 16 months in prison and released in the courtroom, as she had spent about as much time in jail pending trial.
Tut.by journalists left Belarus in July 2021 to launch Zerkalo.io, a news website that largely follows in the footsteps of the original media outlet. Belarus and Russia have blocked access to the website. On top of that, Belarus declared it extremist content.
On June 14, 2022, the Minsk Economic Court designated Tut By Media as an extremist organization, banning its activities in Belarus.
In October, the Committee for State Security (KGB) added Zołatava, Čekina, Łojka and Tałkačova to its list of “individuals and entities involved in terrorist activities.”
- Politics, SocietyMahiloŭ State University will train “military-patriotic” PE teachersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja, Zourabichvili discuss cooperation, Russian meddlingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka invites Serbian president to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets Trump's Ukraine-Russia envoyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky: Putin views Belarus as Russian provinceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityUkrainian emergency workers tackle drone strike aftermath at Chernobyl nuclear plantThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja links prisoners’ release to pressure on regimeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: former customs officer’s high treason charge trial beginsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAt least 33 sent for forced treatment on political grounds since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityHomiel region checks radiation after Zelensky reports Chernobyl strikeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRunaway athlete’s ex-husband back in Minsk, ready to cooperate with investigatorsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsImprisoned activist's book declared extremistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign-currency assets up 0.7 percent in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMAZ truck sales in Russia drop 32 percent y/yThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk’s rights violations amount to crimes against humanity – UN expertsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelGee sales in Russia falling since NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGovernment brands 18 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja condemns Russia’s drone attack on Chernobyl reactor shieldThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyPro-government sociologists: more than 70 percent trust law enforcersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsEcuador's president congratulates Łukašenka on seventh term in officeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Belarusians’ online activities in focusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with US diplomat who took prisoners out of BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to build 4.5 million sq. m of housing this year, more than in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMore than 27,000 genetic passports issued in Belarus – scientistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarusian drill draws on the experience of war in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityCIS draft anti-terrorist program sent for revisionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInvestigators launch probe against dissident athlete's ex-husbandThe material is available only to POZIRK+