Prominent journalist’s term in detention extended

January 31, BPN. Belarusian investigators have extended prominent journalist Pavieł Mažejka’s arrest for another month.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) reports that Mažejka is held in pre-trial detention in Hrodna.

According to the BAJ, he is not given medicines and vitamins, and is restricted in receiving parcels. He can correspond only with his relatives.

The journalist, who also heads the Center of Urban Life NGO, was arrested on August 30, 2022. His charges remain unknown to the general public since his lawyer is under a gagging order.

Law enforcers had detained Mažejka in March 2021 along with artist Aleś Puškin, who was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. The journalist spent 72 hours in custody.

In May 2022, a judge granted prosecutors’ request to shut down Mažejka’s NGO.

At least 32 journalists remain behind bars, the BAJ said.