Infa Kurjer journalists released after 15 days in jail

March 30, BPN. Authorities have released Infa Kurjer editor in chief Siarhiej Stankievič and his deputy Aleh Rubčenia after they had spent 15 days in jail for allegedly disobeying police orders, Naša Niva reported.

Both journalists were arrested in the morning of March 15 when police raided Infa Kurjer‘s office in Słuck, Minsk region. Police also briefly detained two other staff members.

Stankievič and Rubčenia were tried at the Słuck police department in the presence of a lawyer. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Infa Kurjer‘s website was updated after the raid, and an issue of the weekly came out on March 16. Its website said the new issue was available at the state-run distribution chain Biełsajuzdruk despite earlier reports that it was banned for sale.

On March 15, police also arrested Alaksandr Mancevič, editor in chief of Rehijanalnaja Hazieta, another local newspaper based in the Minsk region. He is currently in custody and faces criminal charges.

At least 35 journalists remain behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).